Characterization of 3D printed samples from biomass-fungi composite materials

Abstract

Biomass-fungi composite materials are derived from sustainable sources and can biodegrade at the end of their service. In these composite materials, the biomass particles (made from agricultural waste such as hemp hurd) act as the substrate, and a network of fungal hyphae grow through and bind the biomass particles together. These composite materials can be used to manufacture products traditionally made from petroleum-based plastics. Potential applications of these products are in the packaging, furniture, and construction industries. Typically, molding-based methods are used to manufacture products using these composite materials. Recently, the authors reported a novel 3D printing-based method using these composite materials. This paper reports a follow-up investigation into the characterization of 3D printed samples from biomass-fungi composite materials. Tensile and compressive testing samples were shaped using molds from a portion of each printed sample. Mechanical properties of these tensile and compressive testing samples and chemical properties of the printed samples were measured. Tensile and compressive testing measurement results showed that, at the significance level of 0.05, effects of 3D printing parameters studied (printing speed and extrusion pressure) were not statistically significant on Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength of the tensile testing samples, as well as on compressive strength and compressive modulus of the compressive testing samples. Results obtained from the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis show that chemical composition of printed samples was consistent with the data in the literature.