Using dammar gum to reduce the warpage and shrinkage of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) 3D printing filament

Additive manufacturing is a growing industry that demands high-quality thermoplastic materials for 3D printing. Among those high-quality thermoplastic materials, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is one of the most widely used globally for various application due to the great characteristic such as high mechanical properties, great chemical resistance, and the recyclability of the material. However, the usage of HDPE as additive manufacturing materials is not common due to issues such as warpage defects and shrinkage which is affecting printed product quality. In this study, dammar gum (DM), a natural resin, was added to HDPE in varying concentrations to alleviate these issues. The printability, chemical, and mechanical properties of the HDPE/dammar blend filaments, as well as the effects of orientation angle and processing methods, were investigated. The results showed that dammar gum reduced warpage and shrinkage in HDPE as the concentration of dammar gum increased. In particular, the addition of dammar gum eliminated the overall warpage. In the DM 12.5, the highest tensile strength was achieved, while the DM 25 demonstrated a better compromise of warpage and shrinkage with solid tensile properties. These findings indicate that using HDPE with dammar gum can be a viable option for industrial applications because it addresses the warpage and shrinkage issues commonly associated with HDPE. The addition of dammar gum to HDPE can enhance the quality of 3D printed products, reduce material waste, and improve production efficiency, making it a promising solution for the additive manufacturing industry.