Shape memory and mechanical characterization of polylactic acid wood composite fabricated by fused filament fabrication 4D printing technology

Abstract

AbstractThe present study focuses on fabrication and characterization of polylactic acid wood composite fabricated using fused filament fabrication 4D printing technology. The major tests performed to investigate the effect of nanosilica and nanoalumina included shape recovery rate, hardness, compressive strength, dynamic mechanical properties and Thermo‐gravimetric analysis. The result of mechanical test indicated that the addition of 2 wt.% nanoalumina improved the hardness, compressive strength and flexural strength by 40 %, 25 % and 3.3 % respectively. On the other hand, the addition of 2 wt.% nanosilica improved the hardness, compressive strength and flexural strength by 60 %, 55 % and 10 % respectively. Further, the addition of nanosilica and nanoalumina improved the thermal stability and decreased the maximum shape recovery rate of wood polylactic acid composite. Nanosilica reinforced wood polylactic acid composite indicated a better choice as compared to nanoalumina reinforced wood polylactic acid composite in terms of mechanical properties, thermal properties and maximum shape recovery rate.