Tensile Properties of Cellulose-Filled Recycled Thermoplastic Composite Filaments for 3D Printing

Abstract

In recent years, the growing interest in the development of 3D printing has focused more specifically on the utilization of eco-friendly, biodegradable and recycled materials. This paper presents the effect of the addition of cellulose filler on the tensile properties of filaments used in 3D printing. Cellulose-filled thermoplastic composite filaments were extruded from virgin polylactic acid (PLA), recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinylchloride (PVC), and the effect of cellulose filler on the tensile properties of composite filaments was measured. The results revealed that the tensile properties of recycled thermoplastic filaments weakened remarkably whereas the tensile properties of the filament made of virgin PLA slightly improved. However, despite the differences in the results, it was found that cellulose-filled thermoplastic composite filaments can be produced as feedstock used in 3D printing.