Polypropylene/Cellulose Composites for Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

The ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.201800037. 3D PrintingThe preparation of polypropylene (PP)/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) composites and their applicability for material extrusion additive manufacturing (ME-AM) is reported. MCC is modified by grafting onto its surface with different silanes, in particular perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane, n-octyltriethoxysilane (OTS), or aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The efficacy of the surface modification is confirmed by attenuated total reflectance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The affinity of the modified MCC to the polar PP matrix is investigated by direct melt-compounding, and the applicability of the resulting composites for material ME-AM is accessed by fabrication of filaments and evaluating the relevant property requirements. The surface modification of the MCC improves their dispersibility in PP and enhances the mechanical properties of the composites. Moreover, the OTS-modified MCC shows the best reinforcement, good surface finish of the filament, and flawless printability.

Material extrusion‐based additive manufacturing of polypropylene: A review on how to improve dimensional inaccuracy and warpage

“…As soon as the fillers were agglomerating (e.g., gypsum), the warpage reduction as well as the mechanical property improvement were not as effective as for the evenly distributed fillers harakeke and hemp. A similar trend was also found for PP filled with glass spheres and cellulose, respectively . The filaments of both materials were only processable by ME‐AM and only revealed an effective warpage reduction, when a compatibilizer and filler coating were applied to guarantee a homogeneous filler distribution and a strong filler–matrix interface.…”

New biocomposite obtained using poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) and microfibrillated cellulose

“…E' of neat PHBH at temperature below T g is essentially constant with a value of ≈ 4 GPa. The incorporation of MFC, at 10 wt%, increased very slightly E' in the rubbery region, suggesting that MFC gives stiffness to the composites . The E' increase of the composites can be related to an improved compatibility between the filler and the polymeric matrix, promoted by the surface modification of the MFC …”

Influence of fiber content on rheological and mechanical properties of pineapple leaf fibers‐polypropylene composites prepared by twin‐screw extrusion

“…Another possible application would be the use of PALF‐based composites in 3D printing. Indeed, it was shown that the incorporation of short fibers in a PP matrix could significantly reduce warpage in printed parts . In the abundant literature on lignocellulosic fiber reinforced composites, PALF‐based composites play only a minor role.…”

“…Indeed, it was shown that the incorporation of short fibers in a PP matrix could significantly reduce warpage in printed parts. [15][16][17] In the abundant literature on lignocellulosic fiber reinforced composites, PALF-based composites play only a minor role. A few reviews summarize the works published since 1986.…”