Study on 3D printed graphene/carbon fiber multi-scale reinforced PLA composites

Abstract

In this work, the mechanical and interfacial properties of 3D-printed polyactic acid (PLA) were greatly enhanced through a multi-scale reinforcement technique. In particular, PLA was blended with carbon fiber (CF) and graphene oxide (GO) using a polybutylene succinate (PBS) toughening agent to yield a biodegradable composite with increased strength and tensile modulus. Mechanical enhancement was achieved by adding 0.5 wt% GO and 9 wt% CF, which we prepared through a mechanical stripping method. In comparison to pure PLA, the composite has a 73.33% higher tensile strength, 231.71% higher tensile modulus, and 89.83% higher bending strength. In comparison to CF/PLA, the composite has a 42.48% higher tensile strength, 128.51% higher tensile modulus, and 76.55% higher bending strength.