Characterization of 3d printing filaments applied in restoration of sensitive archaeological objects using rapid prototyping
ISSN: 1355-2546
Article publication date: 29 March 2021
Issue publication date: 4 June 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to characterize three-dimensional (3D) printing filaments commonly used in fused deposition modeling (FDM) to determine their viability for restoration and conservation treatments.
Design/methodology/approach
Eight current filaments for FDM from six polymeric materials have been characterized to determine their suitability for restoration and conservation treatments. For testing these filaments, specimens are printed with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene; polylactic acid; polylactic acid with CaCO3 (E.P.); polyethylene terephthalate glycol; polypropylene; and high-impact polystyrene. Suitability of a filament was verified using the Oddy test by detecting the action of volatile pollutants released from the filaments. The morphological and color changes were observed after allowing them to degrade under the exposure of UV radiation. The samples were then analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. In addition, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy technique was applied to complete the characterization of the printed filaments.
Findings
Materials investigated are suitable for restoration purposes ensuring long-term stability. Rapid prototyping using FDM is appropriate for restoring sensitive archaeological objects allowing reconstruction of parts and decreasing risk while manipulating delicate artifacts.
Originality/value
Rapid prototyping using FDM was chosen for the restoration of a fragile and sensitive archaeological glass bowl from Manises Ceramic Museum.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors want to express their gratitude to Mr Antonio Doménech from the Universitat de València for Chemical characterization using FT-IR spectroscopy and gas chromatography spectroscopy techniques. The authors would also like to acknowledge the collaboration of the Manises Ceramic Museum for their support to this paper, providing access to restored archaeological artifacts.
The authors want to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for the English edition.
This work is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in the context of the research project “Desarrollo de un Sistema Integrado de Restauración, Recomposición, Restitución y Representación de Fragmentos Arqueológicos”: HAR2015-69408-R (MINECO-FEDER).
Citation
Aura-Castro, E., Díaz-Marín, C., Mas-Barberà, X., Sánchez, M. and Vendrell Vidal, E. (2021), "Characterization of 3d printing filaments applied in restoration of sensitive archaeological objects using rapid prototyping", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 27 No. 4, pp. 645-657. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-06-2019-0153
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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