Development of 3D Printing Filament from Poly(Lactic Acid) and Cassava Pulp Composite with Epoxy Compatibilizer

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Sustainable Manufacturing

Background:

• Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer with limitations in mechanical strength and hydrophobicity.
• Agricultural residues like cassava pulp (CP) offer a sustainable filler source but require effective integration into polymer matrices.
• Developing novel composite materials is crucial for reducing reliance on petroleum-based plastics and promoting a circular economy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize a novel 3D printing filament using poly(lactic acid) (PLA), cassava pulp (CP), and epoxy.
• To optimize the epoxy content for enhanced mechanical properties and surface quality of the PLA/CP composite.
• To investigate the potential of upcycling agricultural waste into high-performance biomaterials for 3D printing applications.

Main Methods:

• Bio-composites were synthesized using a twin-screw extruder with varying epoxy content (0.5-10.0 wt.%).
• The effect of cassava pulp fiber size on filament properties was evaluated.
• Mechanical testing (tensile strength, elongation at break) and surface quality analysis were performed.

Main Results:

• The smallest CP fiber size (45 µm) resulted in optimal surface quality and filament diameter.
• 1 wt.% epoxy incorporation significantly enhanced tensile strength (56.6 MPa) and elongation at break (6.2%).
• Optimized filament exhibited a tensile strength of 64.6 MPa and elongation at break of 9.8% due to effective crosslinking and morphology.

Conclusions:

• A novel 3D printing filament was successfully developed from PLA, CP, and epoxy, demonstrating superior mechanical properties.
• Epoxide-mediated crosslinking between PLA and CP is key to achieving enhanced material performance.
• This research highlights the potential of agricultural waste upcycling for sustainable biomaterials, offering environmental and economic benefits.