SAMPE Journal - July/August 2024 - 23

and ABS specimens is very significant. The SCF/
ABS-SBXY specimen is fully saturated with the
maximum water concentration while the ABSSBXY
specimen has similar contour as it was after
5 hours. Although the concentration level for the
ABS-SBXY is smaller than the SCF/ABS-SBXY
specimen, this suggests that SCF/ABS specimen
(SBXY) will reach its saturation point much faster
than the ABS one. This trend is also applicable to the
specimens in other configurations. In the case of
SBZ, SUXY, and SUZ specimens, the concentration
levels are lower in the SCF/ABS specimens, but the
diffusion rate is higher. So, it can be deducted that
while the presence of SCF helps to resist the water
diffusion, the time required to reach the saturation
level for SCF/ABS specimen is much lower than the
ABS specimen.
4. CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the effects of several
material and process parameters on hydro-aging
characteristics of 3D-printed ABS and SCF/
ABS composites. The water absorption rate is
found to be influenced significantly by two key
parameters: (1) the 3D-printing path, specifically
the orientation (vertical versus horizontal), and (2)
the direction of diffusion (uni- versus bi-directional
diffusion). Findings show that SCF/ABS specimen
printed in horizontal direction retains the lowest
water content (6.8%) while the neat ABS printed
in vertical fashion displays the highest water
absorption (9.8%) under bi-directional diffusion.
SCF/ABS specimen always shows a better resistance
to water absorption in all printing orientation
and diffusion directions. This initial exploration
demonstrates the potential for controlled hydroaging
of 3D-printed composites, with short carbon
fibers (SCFs) emerging as effective resistors against
water diffusion and absorption within the material.
Ongoing investigations in our laboratory aim to
delve deeper into various aspects, including the
influence of diffusion temperature, environmental
conditions (pH), and other external factors as the
effects of specimen size and shape.
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This work was supported in part by the National
Science Foundation (NSF) Advancing Sustainability
Through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway
Electrification (ASPIRE) Engineering Research
Center under Grant EEC-1941524.
Figure 8. Predicted normalized nodal concentration (NNC) contours after 1, 5
and 15 hours for SCF/ABS specimens subjected to controlled water diffusion.
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