Enhanced compatibility between coconut fibers/PP via chemical modification for 3D printing

Abstract

Aiming to produce high-quality bio-based 3D printed products, in this work, coconut fibers were chemical modified using caprolactone. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic reasonance (NMR) confirmed the grafting of the hydroxyl groups present on the surface of the fibers with caprolactone units. Furthermore, from contact angle (CA) analyses, the higher hydrophobicity of fibers after chemical treatment was confirmed, which improved its affinity with PP. The enhanced filler/matrix compatibility was reflected on the mechanical performance and processability of the ensuing composites. The modified fibers derived composites showed higher stiffness and higher melting flow index (MFI), when compared to the untreated counterparts. The composites were used to produce 3D printed specimens. Smother filaments were obtained using modified fibers, which confirms the better compatibility of fibers/PP. The surface of the 3D printed composite specimen produced using treated fibers, presented smooth surface, similar to the PP. This observation highlights the enhancement of the 3D printing quality due to the chemical modification of fibers.

FDM 3D Printing and Properties of PBAT/PLA Blends

“…Generally, the rheological behavior of a polymer material can be obtained using a rheometer; some key factors affecting the flowability of the melt, such as the complex viscosity as well as the relationship between the viscosity and the shear rate, can be obtained intuitively [ 39 , 40 ]. As a simplification method, the processability of a polymer material for 3D printing could also be represented with its MFI [ 41 ], which was directly dependent on the structural and molecular arrangement of the polymer [ 42 ] and can be used to describe the uniformity of the flow rate of thermoplastic materials [ 43 ]. For the FDM process, the MFI of a polymer was not only important in defining the printing parameters, but it also affected the bonding between printed layers.…”

Sustainable 3D printing with recycled tire rubber-based filaments: an investigation of process parameters and mechanical behaviour

“…The role of the MEX process in promoting a more sustainable and CE is, therefore, already gaining momentum. For instance, the FFF technology has recently been used to recycle various bio-based waste materials derived from industrial activities, such as wood and timber waste (Filgueira et al , 2018; Pringle et al , 2018), herbaceous plants such as corn, rice, hemp, cork and cellulose (Biswas et al , 2017; Coppola et al , 1981; Gama et al , 2021; Bahçegül et al , 2020), as well as mussel and eggshell (Sauerwein and Doubrovski, 2018; Hega et al , 2023). Bio-based waste and scraps are fillers in thermoplastic polymers such as polylactic acid, PP, copolyester elastomers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) (Romani et al , 2023).…”

Fused Deposition Modelling of Thermoplastic Polymer Nanocomposites: A Critical Review

“…Carbon fibres (short, continuous), single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs/MWCNTs), graphene, and carbon black have been popular materials to study. Other choices, such as natural fibres (jute, bamboo, coconut, and husk), metals, and their nanofillers, have also attracted interest [24][25][26].…”