The zinc oxide (ZnO)-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) matrix has established shape memory characteristics. But hitherto little has been reported on two-way programmed 3D-printed ZnO-reinforced PLA functional prototypes (prepared on commercial fused deposition modelling (FDM) set-up). This article reports the effect of 3D printing process parameters on tensile, thermal, morphological and two-way programmed shape memory characteristics of ZnO-reinforced PLA-based functional prototypes. It has been ascertained that the maximum strength at peak (14.32 MPa) and maximum strength at break (12.89 MPa) were observed for sample printed at 80% infill density, four number of perimeters with triangular pattern. Maximum Young’s modulus (233.68 MPa) was observed for samples printed at 80% infill density and three perimeters with honeycomb pattern. Also, the maximum modulus of toughness (0.883 MPa) was observed in case of sample printed at 80% infill density, five perimeters with rectilinear pattern. Further based upon thermal analysis using differential scanning calorimetry, it has been ascertained that there is no significant effect of FDM process parameters on normalized heat capacity of functional prototype. As regards to two-way programmed specimens, it has been observed that the porosity of functional prototypes increase with 30 min immersion in water as stimulus at 70°C and it again decreases (regain) after 30 min exposure at atmospheric temperature. Contrary to this, the samples’ porosity values decrease with 30 min immersion in water at 10°C and regain after 30 min exposure at atmospheric temperature. Further some effect of shape memory has been noticed on functional prototypes volume and weight at two different temperatures.
This paper reports the compressive, morphological and surface hardness properties of almond skin powder reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) matrix based 3D printed functional prototypes prepared by fused filament fabrication (FFF) as biomedical scaffolds. In this study the 3D printed functional parts were subjected to compression, morphological and Shore D hardness investigations. The results of this study highlight that maximum compressive strength at peak (37.712 MPa), maximum compressive strength at break (33.93 MPa) and Young's modulus (387.80 MPa) was observed in case of sample printed at infill density 100%, infill angle 90°and infill speed 70 mm s −1 (as per ASTM D695). The maximum modulus of toughness as 3.47 MPa was observed in the case of printed sample at infill density 60%, infill angle 60°and infill speed 70 mm s −1 . The results are supported by optical photomicrographs and Shore D hardness. Finally mathematical equations were developed (as empirical model) to predict different mechanical properties (based upon historical data approach) supported by Taguchi analysis.
In this study, the ZnO nanoparticles (NP) prepared by sol-gel method have been reinforced with polylactic acid by novel co-rotating twin-screw compounder to prepare feedstock filaments for 3D printer. The processed PLA-ZnO feedstock filaments were subjected to mechanical, thermal and morphological analysis. The results of the study suggested that PLA-2% ZnO feedstock filaments prepared under 15 kg load and 0.15Nm torque exhibited better mechanical properties. On account of shape memory effects, PLA-ZnO composite has shown the good shape recovery up to 99.77% (based upon dimensional change) and 100% (based upon weight change) under hydro-thermal stimulus.
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