Kajian Awal Terhadap Kesesuaian Plastik Abs Dalam Penghasilan Radas Makmal Yang Berbentuk Unik Dan Rumit Melalui Proses Pencontoh Sulungan Pantas (Jurnal Teknologi (Sciences & Engineering), 2012)
Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji kesesuaian penghasilan radas makmal yang berbentuk unik lagi rumit melalui proses Pencontoh Sulungan Pantas (PSP) dengan menggunakan Model Pengendapan Terlakur (MPT). Dalam teknologi ini, bahan termoplastik seperti plastik ABS, ABSi, elastomer, polikarbonat, poliester atau polifenilsulfon digunakan sebagai bahan mentah utamanya untuk penghasilan objek tiga-dimensi tanpa menggunakan acuan. Penyelidikan ini dijalankan untuk mendapatkan maklumat awal terhadap sifat-sifat fizik produk ABS yang dihasilkan dengan kaedah MPT. Antara ujian yang dijalankan ialah analisia Termogravimetri (TGA) dan Kalorimeter Pengimbasan Perbezaan (DSC), kadar resapan terhadap air dan juga analisis penembusan. Dari analisis TGA didapati, sampel ABS hanya mengalami satu tahap penguraian iaitu pada suhu antara 240-500°C. Manakala suhu peralihan kaca bagi sampel tersebut yang diperoleh dari analisis DSC ialah 102.5°C. Sampel ABS juga didapati menyerap air sebanyak lima peratus setelah direndam pada suhu bilik selama 10 jam. Manakala ujian penembusan menunjukkan bahawa sampel ABS mesti mempunyai ketebalan yang agak tinggi (lebih daripada 4 mm) agar ia dapat menampung larutan atau cecair. Melalui keputusan daripada ujian-ujian ini, beberapa kelemahan plastik ABS dikenalpasti di samping beberapa cadangan untuk mengatasi kelemahan-kelemahan ini dibentangkan. Kata kunci: Plastik ABS; Pencontoh Sulungan Pantas; radas makmal; bentuk unik This research is carried out in order to find out the suitability of producing apparatus having unique shape and complex geometry through Rapid Prototyping (RP) process using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). In this technology, thermoplastics materials such as ABS, ABSi, elastomer, polycarbonate, polyester or polyfenilsulfone is used as a main raw material in producing three-dimensional object without molding. This study was performed in order to obtain prelimenary information of the physical properties of ABS product that was undergone FDM process. Several tests included Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), water absorbtion rate and penetration test were performed. From TGA result, the ABS sample undergone only one level of degredation which was at the range of 240-500°C. Whereas the glass transformation stage obtained from DSC result was 102.5°C. The ABS sample can absorb five percent of water when it was immersed at room temperature for 10 hours. While in penetration experiment, the ABS sample must have relatively high thickness (more than 4 mm) so that it can properly contained the solution or liquid. Several weaknesses of ABS plastic were identified from this preliminary study and suggestions to overcome these weaknesses were also presented. Key words: ABS plastic; Rapid Prototyping; laboratory apparatus; unique shape