Fused deposition modeling of poly (Lactic Acid)/Walnut Shell biocomposite filaments-surface treatment and properties

Abstract

This paper presents the study of the properties of objects that were fabricated with fused deposition modeling technology while using Poly (lactic acid)/Walnut shell powder (PLA/WSP) biocomposite filaments. TheWSP was treated while using NaOH followed by silane. The infrared spectrumof treated and untreatedWSP was characterized. The result was that thermal andmechanical properties could be improved by adjusting the concentration of silane. The experimental results showed: the surface compatibility betweenWSP and PLA was dramatically improved through treatment with KH550. The crystalline, thermal gravity, and thermal degradation temperatures of biocomposite with untreated WSP were improved from 1.46%, 60.3 °C, and 239.87 °C to 2.84%, 61.3 °C, and 276.37 °C for the biocomposites with treatedWSP, respectively. The tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths of biocomposites were raised each by 8.07%, 14.66%, and 23.32%. With the determined silane concentration, PLA/10-15 wt.% treatedWSP biocomposites were processed and tested. The results showed that the tensile strength was improved to 56.2 MPa, which is very near to that of pure PLA. Finally, the porous scaffolds with controllable porosity and pore size were manufactured.