Evaluation of characterisation efficiency of natural fibre-reinforced polylactic acid biocomposites for 3D printing applications

Abstract

Now, the technology of 3D printing is commonly utilised in various sections of study. The current study fabricated Polylactic Acid (PLA)/various pure and hybrid Natural Fibre (NF) biocomposites via a melt extrusion process. All-natural fibres (NF) were chemically obtained from locally grown plants and utilised as strengthening fillers. The combined utilisation of the natural fibres enhanced tensile strength, Young's modulus and strain at the break of the PLA-natural fibres biocomposites compared to the neat PLA. The impact of the hybrid and pure natural fibres/PLA as 3D printing processing on overall properties was assessed by mechanical characterisation utilising tensile, modulus, strain at break, and impact tests. Major glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting temperature of PLA-NF biocomposites were found by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and high degradation temperatures were observed by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Dynamical behaviour was evaluated by Dynamic-Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and thermomechanical analysis considered the dimensional stability by using Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA). From the DMA findings, the storage modulus and loss modulus exhibited a slight reduction for hybrid printed biocomposites than that of pure printed biocomposites. The Tg from DSC results showed higher values for hybrid printed biocomposites. The results of TMA also showed a regular reduction in the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) was observed with hybrid 3D-printed PLA biocomposite compared to the pure 3D-printed PLA biocomposites. The overall findings verify the effectiveness of these novel 3D printed biocomposites from mechanical, thermal, and physical in terms of biomedical purposes as they are characterised by great stiffness, tensile characterisations, and dimensional permanence.