Abstract
In this work Macadamia nutshell (MS) was used as filler in fused deposition modeling (FDM) of Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composites filaments. Composites containing MS both treated and untreated with alkali and silane were investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetry (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the treated MS composites had better thermal stability. Furthermore, compression tests were carried out. The PLA with 10 wt% treated MS composite was found possessing the best mechanical properties which was almost equivalent to that of the pure PLA. Finally, porous scaffolds of PLA/10 wt% treated MS were fabricated. The scaffolds exhibited various porosities in range of 30–65%, interconnected holes in size of 0.3–0.5 mm, micro pores with dimension of 0.1–1 μm and 37.92–244.46 MPa of elastic modulus. Those values indicated that the FDM of PLA/MS composites have the potential to be used as weight lighter and structural parts.
Highlights
As a promising technology, the Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology offers a new strategy for producing customized parts with desired architecture, shape, pores and porosity [1,2]
The particles possess an irregular shape with an average size of about 40 μm
The impurities adhere to the surface of the bigger Macadamia nutshell (MS) particles
Summary
The Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology offers a new strategy for producing customized parts with desired architecture, shape, pores and porosity [1,2]. (lactic acid) (PLA) is the most extensively used material in FDM, and has been regarded as a promising material for its eco-friendly, biocompatible and processability [4]. Natural biomass is known as being hydrophilic, biodegradable and recyclable [6]. Driven by the increasing environmental pollution and global energy crisis, natural biomass has been used as the reinforcements on the polymer-matrix composites [7]. Some biomass has been successfully used for PLA-matrix, including seeds (e.g., cotton and milkweed), fruit nutshells
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