3D printing is constantly evolving, especially in the production of high-performance composites. A recent study shows that by combining polylactide (PLA) with bamboo charcoal (BC) and continuous flax fibers (CFF), sustainable biocomposites with improved mechanical properties, increased flame retardancy and shape memory properties can be developed.
The researchers used PLA as the base material and reinforced it with bamboo charcoal and continuous flax fibers. Production was carried out using a modified 3D printer, which makes it possible to extrude both the PLA/BC filament and the flax fibers in a single process. Analysis of the finished printed parts showed a strong bond between the fibers and matrix with minimal voids – a sign of good adhesion between the materials.
By incorporating BC and CFF, the tensile strength of the material was increased by 248% and the flexural strength by 207% compared to pure PLA. At the same time, the burning rate of the composite material was reduced by 50%, which raised the classification in the UL 94 burning test to the V-1 level. In addition, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the material reached 36.8% by volume, which represents a significant improvement in flame retardancy.
In addition to mechanical stability, the shape memory behavior of the biocomposites was also investigated. In tests with heat programming, the materials achieved a shape recovery rate of up to 89% for PLA/BC/CFF. This property is particularly relevant for applications in which structures need to return to their original shape after deformation – for example in the aerospace and furniture industries.
The combination of high mechanical strength, improved flame resistance and shape memory makes these biocomposites particularly interesting for applications in the automotive and construction industries as well as for sustainable furniture. In particular, the possibility of producing these materials using 3D and 4D printing opens up new avenues for the development of resource-saving and reusable components.
More information can be found in the paper entitled “3D/4D printed bio-composites reinforced by bamboo charcoal and continuous flax fibers for superior mechanical strength, flame retardancy and recoverability”. Authors: Mahdi Bodaghi, Kaveh Rahmani, Mohammadreza Lalegani Dezaki, Callum Branfoot and Jon Baxendale.
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