It is essential to combine current state-of-the-art technologies such as additive manufacturing with current ecological needs. Due to the increasing demand for non-toxic biodegradable materials and products, human society has been searching for new materials. Consequently, it is compulsory to identify the qualities of these materials and their behavior when subjected to various external factors, to find their optimal solutions for application in various fields. This paper refers to the biodegradable Polylactic acid (PLA)-based filament (commercially known as Extrudr BDP (Biodegradable Plastic) Flax) compared with the biodegradable composite material PLA-lignin filament whose constituent’s trade name is Arboblend V2 Nature as a lignin base material and reinforcement with Extrudr BDP Pearl, a PLA based polymer, 3D printed by Fused Deposition Modeling technology. Certain mechanical properties (tensile strength, bending strength and DMA—Dynamic Mechanical Analysis) were also determined. The tribology behavior (friction coefficient and wear), the structure and the chemical composition of the biodegradable materials were investigated by SEM—Scanning Electron Microscopy, EDX—Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis, XRD—X-Ray Diffraction Analysis, FTIR—Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer and TGA—Thermogravimetric Analysis. The paper also refers to the influence of technological parameters on the 3D printed filaments made of Extrudr BDP Flax and the optimization those of technological parameters. The thermal behavior during the heating of the sample was analyzed by Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). As a result of the carried-out research, we intend to recommend these biodegradable materials as possible substituents for plastics in as many fields of activity as possible.

The field of polymeric materials and manufacturing technologies is constantly evolving, offering the possibility to prototype 3D products in a responsible and ecological way, thus aiming to replace on a large scale the filaments of nonbiodegradable synthetic polymers (from fossil resources) with filaments of biodegradable materials, obtained from renewable resources. The paper supports the development mentioned above and follows to characterize biodegradable materials from the mechanical behavior point of view, tensile, bending, and impact tests. Also, the study reflects the influence of the technological parameters on the tensile test obtained results and also aims to optimize the obtained results. The studied materials were Extrudr Green-TEC Anthracite and Extrudr BDP Pearl which according to the obtained basic mechanical results can successfully replace conventional polymers such as Flexible, HIPS, PP and other ones.

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One of the biggest challenges facing engineers and designers in the field of additive manufacturing is to constantly develop and promote new products to meet the increasingly varied and demanding needs of customers. They must also “navigate” through a wide variety of technologies and materials available in order to determine the most appropriate solution for their application. The best and easiest way to determine if a particular technology or material is right for an application is to study and understand its behavior. This paper aims to mechanical characterize 3D printed samples from biodegradable materials through tensile, bending, and impact tests but also by determining the mechanical behavior in the dynamic regime and the tribological behavior (friction coefficient and wear). For the obtained results during the tensile test were performed a statistical analysis of the technological parameters’ influence on the output parameters (tensile strength, strain, and modulus of elasticity) and it has been developed and the optimization of these ones. The studied biodegradable thermoplastics were bioFila Linen, bioFila Silk and Fiber Wood which according to the highlighted results can be used in various fields of activity and can easily replacing polymers from fossil resources such as flexible filaments, high impact polystyrene, polypropylene, polypropylene reinforced with short glass fibers, polymers reinforced with metal or wood powder.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the chemical and physical structure of two printed lignin/PLA based biodegradable polymers, Fiber Wood ® and Arboblend V2 Nature reinforced with Extrudr BDP Pearl. Also, are realized correlations with some previous results published by the research team. The analysis methods used are Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope analysis. The revealed information's confirm the biodegradable structure of the printed samples, thus, facilitating the understanding of some mechanical and thermal characteristics, making it much easier to offer some recommendations regarding the substitution of nonbiodegradable synthetic thermoplastics with Fiber Wood ® and Arboblend V2 Nature reinforced with Extrudr BDP Pear materials.