NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Quantifying Mechanical Abrasion of AgNP Nanocomposites used in 3D Printing: Influence of AgNP content on abrasion products and rate of microplastic production
Published
Author(s)
Joana Sipe, William Berger, Nathan Bossa, Melissa Chernick, Keana C. K. Scott, Alan Kennedy, Treye Thomas, Christine Ogilvie, Mark Wiesner
Abstract
Nanomaterials are used in polymer composites to enhance plastic products' properties. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are added to composites for their antimicrobial and fungicidal properties. Polyethylene terephthalate glycol polymer (PETG) AgNP composite test objects were 3D printed using AgNP composite filaments with AgNP mass fraction of 0.5 % and 2 %. These composite test objects were then abraded using NIST SP 1200-30 abrasion protocol to find the microplastic (MP) abrasion rates of these nanocomposites over various power inputs.1 Results showed that the abrasion rate of composite depended on the polymer matrix rather than on the AgNP content in the product. However, AgNPs affected the size and physico-chemical properties and surface qualities of particles produced. Surface attached and protuberant AgNPs were found on the abraded particles. As the mass fraction of nanomaterial increased in the composite, the size range of abraded composite particles produced during abrasion decreased.
Sipe, J.
, Berger, W.
, Bossa, N.
, Chernick, M.
, Scott, K.
, Kennedy, A.
, Thomas, T.
, Ogilvie, C.
and Wiesner, M.
(2024),
Quantifying Mechanical Abrasion of AgNP Nanocomposites used in 3D Printing: Influence of AgNP content on abrasion products and rate of microplastic production, Environmental Science Nano, [online], https://doi.org/10.1039/d3en00888f, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=956609
(Accessed October 17, 2025)