Development of PLA based composites reinforced with basalt fibers or hemp powder by FDM
Topic(s) : Manufacturing
Co-authors :
Ilaria PAPA , Francesco NAPOLITANO (ITALY), Antonio LANGELLA , Pietro RUSSO (ITALY)Abstract :
Over the past few years, biopolymeric composites have gained a rising concern, due to the possibility of reducing the overall environmental impact. Among the synthetic biobased polymers, a special place is reserved for polylactic acid (PLA) but its intrinsic characteristics, such as fragility, often limit its use in particularly demanding applications unless strategies such as mixing with other polymers or the inclusion of suitable additives are taken into consideration to improve some mechanical features, thus enabling them to replace conventional polymer [1].
Organic fillers such as flax, hemp and jute, can be used to prepare green composites that exhibit higher mechanical performance if compared with those of neat matrices [2].
Nevertheless, the extent of the improvements achieved was found to depend on several factors, such as the chemical-physical properties of starting components, the filler dispersion, the fibers orientation, the matrix/filler adhesion and manufacturing technologies [3].
Among the last, Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a promising technology for the fabrication of functional structures with complex geometries, which shows great potential in diverse fields, being able, among other things, to comply with the principles of economic sustainability that are increasingly required in the industrial sector [1]. Despite these advantages, the aesthetic and functional quality of the final products is influenced by numerous parameters. Many studies concern the optimization of the manufacturing processes for the 3D technique to improve the performances, and to obtain lightweight and sustainable materials. Although the use of short natural fibre could improve the mechanical properties of final component, poor interfacial adhesion is also widely reported in the literature [3]. The results reveal that longer fiber length contributes to improved mechanical properties. However, as the length of the fibers increases there is a significant reduction in the flexural strength and this effect can be attributed to an increase in defects in the filling interlayer as well as to poor adhesion between the overlapping layers during the manufacturing process of specimens. Therefore, the fiber length and fiber content should be optimized to achieve satisfactory mechanical featuresas well as 3D printing feasibility.
This work aims to explore the potential of FDM filament fabricated from PLA compounds reinforced by basalt fibres or hemp powder in different percentages to evaluate the effect of the filling on the printability and performances of the printed component providing a new type of eco-friendly and economical composite materials.
Organic fillers such as flax, hemp and jute, can be used to prepare green composites that exhibit higher mechanical performance if compared with those of neat matrices [2].
Nevertheless, the extent of the improvements achieved was found to depend on several factors, such as the chemical-physical properties of starting components, the filler dispersion, the fibers orientation, the matrix/filler adhesion and manufacturing technologies [3].
Among the last, Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a promising technology for the fabrication of functional structures with complex geometries, which shows great potential in diverse fields, being able, among other things, to comply with the principles of economic sustainability that are increasingly required in the industrial sector [1]. Despite these advantages, the aesthetic and functional quality of the final products is influenced by numerous parameters. Many studies concern the optimization of the manufacturing processes for the 3D technique to improve the performances, and to obtain lightweight and sustainable materials. Although the use of short natural fibre could improve the mechanical properties of final component, poor interfacial adhesion is also widely reported in the literature [3]. The results reveal that longer fiber length contributes to improved mechanical properties. However, as the length of the fibers increases there is a significant reduction in the flexural strength and this effect can be attributed to an increase in defects in the filling interlayer as well as to poor adhesion between the overlapping layers during the manufacturing process of specimens. Therefore, the fiber length and fiber content should be optimized to achieve satisfactory mechanical featuresas well as 3D printing feasibility.
This work aims to explore the potential of FDM filament fabricated from PLA compounds reinforced by basalt fibres or hemp powder in different percentages to evaluate the effect of the filling on the printability and performances of the printed component providing a new type of eco-friendly and economical composite materials.