Attempts to diminish the drawbacks of polylactic acid designed for 3D/4D printing technology-fused deposition modeling

Abstract

In order to improve thermal behavior and dimensional strability of polylactic acid (PLA) designed both for 3D and 4D printing technology-fused deposition modeling (FDM) using a scalable procedure, the polymer was melt compounded with additives which control the morphology by crystallization and/or reinforcing. Using the formulations which provide polylactic acid (PLA) improved thermo-mechanical properties and desired dimensional stability, the new materials were shaped, on a laboratory line, as filaments for printing technology. The selected compounds were than scaled up on a 50 kg/h compounding line into granules which prove to have good shapability as filaments for printing technology (1.85 +/- 0.05 mm diameter, required ovality, good appearance and smooth surface) and performed properly at 3D printing. The obtained results proved that functional properties of PLA can be improved by various methods so that, depending on the reached performances, the new material can be converted through printing technology into items for performance applications. The novelty of the article is related to the fact that it identifies a modifying solution for controlling the morphology of a type of PLA designed for 3D printing that already has an advanced crystallinity.