Polyhydroxybutyrate/polylactic acid blends: An alternative feedstock for 3D printed bone scaffold model

Abstract

In this research, we developed 3D printing filaments from polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends to further its use in a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing technique as an alternative feedstock for manufacturing bone scaffold model. The filaments were fabricated with blending ratios of PHB/PLA at 100/0, 90/10, 70/30, 50/50, 30/70, 10/90, and 0/100 %wt. using an extrusion process. Furthermore, 10 phr of polypropylene glycol (PPG) was added as a processing aid to enhance the processability. The results of MFR showed that the suitable temperature for 3D printing of all blended filaments is 190 °C. The changes in thermal properties indicate the partial compatibility between PHB and PLA in the blends. PLA plays a vital role in improving the mechanical properties of PHB. 3D printing filament from PHB/PLA blends has been successfully developed.