A case study of wood thermoplastic composite filament for 3D printing

Abstract

The 3D printing technology is a method of converting proposed complex geometric shapes into solid models. One of these methods is the FDM (fused deposition modeling) printing technology as a considerably affordable and the most commonly used method in the world. The purpose of this study is to obtain FDM 3D printer filaments that are as natural as possible, resembling wood and evoking the sensation of wood upon touching through deployment of bio-based plastics and additives. Polylactic acid (PLA) and bio thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were used as matrices, and lignin and Arboform, a lignin-based biomaterial, were used as additives. The characteristics of composites achieved through addition of 10% lignin and Arboform to matrices were identified by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the tensile test. The effects of some printing parameters on the mechanical characteristics were also determined. Lignin induced a decrease in mechanical characteristics for both PLA and TPU. Arboform, on the other hand, demonstrated good bonding with TPU and increased tensile strength. Production of flexible and sufficiently durable parts by means of 10% Arboform-containing TPU filaments was demonstrated.