Enhancing Polylactic Acid (PLA) for 3D Printing with Cellulose Nanofibers via Twin Screw Melt Extrusion

Abstract

In this study, cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) filaments were made via melt extrusion for 3D printing applications. The use of CNF reinforcement may enhance the PLA's mechanical attributes, making it a better material for a variety of 3D printing applications. In order to create the nanocomposites, a master batch of PLA and CNFs was premixed, and the CNFs were subsequently diluted throughout the extrusion process to final concentrations of 1, 3, and 5 wt%. The dilution was done to evaluate how the morphological and mechanical characteristics of the composites would be affected by different CNF concentrations. The findings demonstrated that adding 3 wt. % CNF greatly improved the mechanical characteristics of the PLA composites. In particular, the flexural strength rose by 60.2%, the compressive strength rose by 62.7%, and the tensile strength rose by 77.7%. These results show that the melt extrusion of PLA filaments reinforced with CNF is a practical method for creating nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical characteristics for 3D printing applications. The study's conclusion emphasizes how CNF reinforcement may be used to enhance the mechanical characteristics of PLA for 3D printing applications. The findings may be useful for researchers and businesses in the 3D printing and materials science fields, and they may also aid in the creation of more sophisticated and environmentally friendly 3D printing materials.