The article presents the results of research on selected thermal, mechanical properties, as well as the microscopic structure of filaments and details made on a 3D printer in FDM technology. The materials used in the study were PETG (polyethylene terephthalate doped with glycol) and PLA (polylactide) doped with copper. As part of the study, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was performed in order to determine the temperatures of phase transformations and changes in melting enthalpy values of filaments before the printing process and also elements made of them. The second part of the research was electrocorrosive ageing process of printouts, carried out in the Simulated Body Fluid solution in a device generating 0.3 A direct current, voltage with value 4.3 V for the entire duration of the test, which was 720 h. After this process DSC test was conducted again. The next stage of the research was Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) of printouts before and after electrocorrosive ageing process. This test was carried out to characterize the dynamic-mechanical properties as a function of frequency, temperature and time. Additionally, microscopic analyses of the surfaces of the tested printouts were performed in order to assess the changes after electrolysis.

The article presents the results of research on polymer composites based on polypropylene filled with various fillers. The physical and thermal properties of the composites are the result of the used polymer matrix as well as the properties and geometric features of the used filler. The geometric shape of the filler is particularly important in the processing of plastics in which the flow is forced, and high shearing tension occurs, which determines the high macromolecular orientation and specific arrangement of the filler particles. Thermal analysis (STA) was used in the research and photographs were taken using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) of fractures of polymer composites. The following fillers were used: talc, fibreglass, glass beads, and a halogen-free nitrogen-phosphorus flame retardant. The test material was obtained by extrusion. Shapes for strength tests, which were subjected to scanning microscopy tests after a static tensile test, were obtained by injection. The carried-out tests allowed us to determine the influence of the type and shape of individual fillers on structural changes in the structure of polypropylene composites and the degree of sample weight loss in a specific temperature range, depending on the used filler.

The article has presented the method of 3D Digital Light Processing printing as one of the technologies used for rapid prototyping of dental models and making elements of dentures. In this work the research was presented, which the aim was to determine the effect of additional exposure time on the properties of the obtained printouts. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis test showed significant differences in stiffness between uncured specimens as well as specimens cured for 10, 20 and 30 minutes. In turn the obtained TG and DTG curves allowed to determine the most optimal curing time for DLP printouts. These studies provide the basis for determining the most appropriate method for handling printouts after the process of printing from liquid resin, so that they are the best possible quality for dentists and prosthodontists.

The paper presents the results of the analysis of physical phenomena associated with the degradation processes of the surface layer of polymeric materials. During the interaction disturbance of ultraviolet radiation, atoms are knocked out of the polymer chains, thus breaking the macromolecules, which leads to the disturbance in the structural stability of the materials. The standardised test samples obtained using the injection moulding method were subjected to the degradation process in natural and accelerated conditions in the UV Test device. The degradation process in laboratory conditions was carried out during 750 hours with the use of lamps with a wavelength of 313 nanometers and an irradiation level of 0.76 W/m ², which corresponds to a period of 2 years in natural conditions. Using of thermogravimetric TGA and differential scanning calorimetry DSC analysis, the influence of energy applied from lamps and the energy reaching the earth’s surface on the change of melting enthalpy ∆ H_m, quantitative index of the crystalline phase and the temperature of phase changes were determined.

The weld lines that occur in injection mouldings are critical areas on which depends on the strength of the mouldings. The flow of the material in the injection mould takes place through the gate and then gradually in the mould cavity. Depending on the shape of the formed object, the weld line may or may not occur. In the case of spreading of plastic streams or bypassing obstacles in the form of cores in the mould, the joining lines run down. Most often, the strength of the moulded part is the lowest in these areas and the resulting lines can cause cracking. The aim of the research presented in the publication was to evaluate the properties of particular parts of mouldings obtained from an experimental injection mould equipped with 4 weld line areas. The tests were performed using the method of thermal analysis by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis DMA. Tensile tests were performed on the parts with weld areas and the maximum crack force was determined. The morphology of the obtained fractures was observed using an optical microscope.

The article has been devoted to issues connected with socket fusion welding, which is next to welding one of the methods of thermoplastic polymers joining. In this paper, the research was presented, which the aim was analysis of quality of joints obtained as a result of resistance welding of polypropylene pipes with diameter ø20 in the temperature range of 200÷230°C. To that end a Testo thermal imaging camera was used, flexural strength of the combined components was tested as well as the received weld was observed under a stereoscopic microscope. Conducted studies showed that the best results of joint are obtained during welding at 220°C and 230°C, while lower temperatures did not fully perform their function during the process of joining the pipe elements.

The parameters of the injection moulding process have a significant influence on the properties of the moulded parts. Selection of appropriate injection conditions (e. g. the injection temperature, mould temperature, injection and holding pressure, injection speed) contributes to the productivity and energy consumption of the injection moulding process as well as to the quality of the moulded parts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of injection moulding parameters on properties of poly(ethylene) mouldings. Regranulate obtained from recycled film, which is a mixture of low-density poly(ethylene) and linear low-density poly(ethylene), was used for testing. Samples in the form of standardised tensile bars of type A1 were produced by injection moulding. A Krauss-Maffei KM65-160C4 injection moulding machine was used for this purpose. Variable parameters of the this process used in the study were: injection speed, mould temperature and holding pressure. The results of tensile strength tests of the obtained samples are presented. The weight and dimensions of mouldings from four different regranulates were also investigated. The effect of injection moulding conditions on the properties of poly(ethylene) mouldings was shown in the investigations. The mass of poly(ethylene) mouldings is dependent on the holding pressure.

The injection moulding conditions may change the degree of crystallinity of the plastic to some extent, which affects the mechanical properties such as tensile strength and hardness. Moreover, the cooling conditions of the moulded parts may contribute to changes in their shrinkage. The paper presents the results of determination of the melting enthalpy of a polypropylene. The melting enthalpy ∆ H_m was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. It was found, that the value of the melting enthalpy depends on the physical conditions prevailing during the sample production process, such as the temperature of the liquid material, the cooling rate of the plastic (related to the mould temperature T_m) and the flow rate of the plastic in the mould. The degree of crystallinity of the obtained samples was also determined, which, depending on the measured enthalpy of fusion, influences the degree of structural order of the polymer. Standardized test samples were also analysed in terms of transversal shrinkage and longitudinal shrinkage. The shrinkage of the injection moulded parts results from the change of physical state of plastic during its solidification in the mould.