Novel lignin microspheres reinforced poly (lactic acid) composites for fused deposition modeling

Abstract

Lignin microspheres were prepared by the solvent‐anti‐solvent method and blended with pure poly (lactic acid) (PLA) to prepare lignin microspheres/PLA composites for fused deposition modeling. Lignin microspheres were successfully prepared by using deionized water as the anti‐solvent and methanol (MAL), ethanol (EAL), and n‐propanol (NPA) as solvent, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of lignin microspheres showed that the best microspheres were prepared by NPA at 60 C (NPA‐60), with the size range of microspheres between 800 and 1000 nm. Moreover, the lignin microspheres/PLA composites showed the best mechanical properties when 0.375 wt% NPA‐60 was doped into PLA matrix. Compared with pure PLA, the tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength of the 0.375 wt% NPA‐60/PLA composites were increased by 49.80%, 25.00%, and 112.64%, respectively. Therefore, the lignin microsphere/PLA composites prepared by using a small amount of lignin microspheres as reinforcing filler has excellent mechanical properties, which are ideal 3D printing materials for fused deposition modeling.

Fabrication of novel printable artificial bone composites used as cartilage scaffolds by an additive manufacturing process

“…In recent years, orthopedic diseases such as fractures and bone defects have been on the rise with the serious aging of the population and the occurrence of traffic accidents. Metallic, non‐metallic, and polymeric materials for the repair of bone defects have become a hot topic of research at home and abroad 16 . Metallic or non‐metallic materials have significant disadvantages, such as bone inflammation due to debris from bone wear or bone atrophy due to the high modulus of elasticity of the implanted material 17 .…”

“…Metallic, non-metallic, and polymeric materials for the repair of bone defects have become a hot topic of research at home and abroad. 16 Metallic or nonmetallic materials have significant disadvantages, such as bone inflammation due to debris from bone wear or bone atrophy due to the high modulus of elasticity of the implanted material. 17 Unlike metallic materials, polymers have a strength that is better matched to bone tissue, they also have good toughness and impact resistance, degradation products can be eliminated through metabolism in the body and can be compounded with other biologically active materials.…”

Prediction of the mechanical properties of heat-treated fused filament fabrication thermoplastics using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system

“…The experimental studies by various researchers provided clear information regarding the relation of process parameters to the mechanical properties of 3D models. [7][8][9][10][11][12] These investigations offered a clear grasp of the range of process parameters that must be chosen to achieve higher mechanical strength.…”

Polymer composites–Special issue review for additive manufacturing of composites

“…This issue is highlighted by several review articles detailing recent advances in the additive manufacturing technology space including advances in the area of smart materials, 1 coatings of bio‐polymer systems, 2 applications with natural materials for the matrix and the fiber, 3 recent advances in the performance of fiber filled polymer systems for the FFF process 4 . Papers in this special issue range from the use of bio and bio‐inspired materials, 2,3,5–12 materials and material systems that benefit from nanoscale enhancements, 13–23 advances in the medical field, 24–26 additive material systems utilizing thermosets, 27–29 large scale additive manufacturing, 30–32 and some rather novel applications in AM 1,33–35 . Several articles focus on improvements for characterization, 36–39 and quite a few seek to identify parameters to enhance the final part performance through processing improvements 40–48 …”

“…Sharma et al 2 present a study on the recent enhances in coatings for bio‐based polymer AM materials. Jeffri et al 8 enhance the final part performance of the AM component through the use of palm trunk materials, whereas Hu et al 10 incorporate the use of a novel lignin microspheres to enhance the performance. Yang et al 9 integrate phosphorescent materials to wood based filler and study the photoluminescence properties of 3D printed systems.…”