Three-dimensional printing of a high-impact resistant polylactic acid-based ternary polymer blend

Abstract

Three-dimensional printing of polylactic acid (PLA)-based polymer blends has several benefits, including low cost, dimensional accuracy and tunability of mechanical properties. Although the addition of Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) into PLA improves the ductility of the blend, the two polymers are immiscible. This work introduced polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) into PLA/PBAT blends as a compatibiliser to improve the interfacial interaction between PLA and PBAT phases. PLA/PBAT/PMMA blends were prepared with varying concentrations of PLA, PBAT (10–20 wt%) and PMMA (0–6 wt%) for 3D printing applications. The mechanical and thermal behaviours of the PLA/PBAT/PMMA ternary blends and their suitability for 3D printing were investigated. The thermal properties of the blends were used to determine the 3D printing nozzle temperature and bed temperature. Three-dimensional printing of the polymer blends was carried out using a Bowden extruder 3D printer. Additionally, the compatibilisation effects of PMMA and interfacial interaction of the polymer phases were investigated using SEM analysis.