Influence of admixture on 3D printable construction material

Abstract

The rheological aspect of conventional casting application is as crucial as it is for JD concrete printing. In extrusion-based 3D printing method, the material should exhibit thixotropic behavior, where the material is required to be low in viscosity during pumping and high in viscosity after extrusion so that the material maintains its shape after extrusion. This change in viscosity can be achieved by the addition of admixtures. In this paper, oscillation tests were used to analyz.e the rheology for different mix design. In the early stage of the oscillation test, the stress is sufficiently low to preserve the structure which simulates the material at rest. As the test progresses, the incrementing speed of the probe in the rheometer will tend to cause disruption in the structure which mimics the flow of the marerial. The use of oscillatory test helps to identify the nature of the s1J'uctur:ing mechanisms present in the material which is useful when attempting in understanding the flow behavior of the material.