Fused deposition modelling of PLA reinforced with cellulose nano-crystals

Additive Manufacturing is a pioneering and prevailing technology used for direct layer-by-layer fabrication of parts from a 3D computer model. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is the most common and simplest technique in 3D printing technology which engrossed many researchers, particularly those interested in its biomedical applications in custom-made implants, tissue and cell printing and the dental industry. Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the bio-degradable polymers which are now being extensively used by the researchers for biomedical applications. Various research was conducted on PLA to improves its properties by incorporating the nanofillers. Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) is one of the naturally occur nanofiller which is used to reinforce with PLA to improve its mechanical and biodegradability property. PLA/CNC has a hopeful probable for large-scale manufacture of green composites towards various applications, which include packaging and biomedical fields. In this research work, different samples of PLA/CNC composites were prepared with 1, 2, 5 and 10 wt% CNC as nanofillers. The thermal properties for the different samples of PLA/CNC bio-composite was studied. The results of Differential scanning calorimetry disclosed that there is a shift in the glass transition temperature and a variation in the melting temperatures. The results showed that the crystallinity of the polymer matrix got increased by the addition of Cellulose. 1% cellulose shows the highest cold crystallization peak when compared to the neat PLA. The single-screw extruder is used to obtain the PLA/CNC filament of 1.75 mm diameter. The fabricated PLA/CNC filament is fed into fused deposition modeling for fabricating 3D Printed specimens. The mechanical properties of the 3D printed bio-composites were evaluated. The results of the 3D printed samples show that there is an increase in tensile modulus for 1% CNC composites (4550 MPa) when compared with neat PLA (3030 MPa).