Preparation and properties enhancement of poly(lactic acid)/calcined‐seashell biocomposites for3Dprinting applications

Abstract

In the recent few years, fused filament fabrication technique have seen extensively used to produce complex-geometry objects. However, the relatively restricted range of 3D printable biocomposites decelerated its adoption in the biomedical sector as a conventional manufacturing technique. In this method, the introduction of biofillers with unique properties to produce high performance composites as printing feedstocks are increasingly recommended. The interest in using eco-friendly fillers from waste as reinforcing agents for producing lightweight and low-cost poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites is recently increased. In this work, a series of PLA biocomposites filled with calcined seashell (CSh) particles have been prepared by melt mixing technique using a twin-screw extruder, and characterized by different morphological, thermal, and mechanical methods. The visco-elastic parameters have been determined for these biocomposites to optimize their processing conditions. The morphological analysis revealed a homogenous dispersion of CSh fillers within the biopolymeric matrix, which was responsible for the enhancement of the various mechanical properties. Where, by adding 10 wt% of treated CSh, the tensile modulus and strength were significantly increased from 183.8 ± 4.7 MPa and 29.81 ± 1.8 MPa to 241.9 ± 63 MPa and 49.06 ± 8.87 MPa, respectively, compared to the virgin PLA. In addition, respected to PLA matrix, the compressive moduli of the printed specimens of PLA/5CSh and PLA/10CSh biocomposite filaments exhibited improvements of 5% and 14%, respectively. Moreover, the thermal analysis showed a marked improvement in the thermal stability of the elaborated biocomposites, where the degradation temperature (Td50) have been upgraded by 4 C for the biocomposite containing 10 wt% of CSh biofiller. These outstanding properties of PLA/CSh composites make them very suitable for 3D printing applications in the biomedical field.

Additive manufacturing of sustainable biomaterials for biomedical applications

“…Bone, a naturally regenerative tissue, may suffer significant trauma due to accidents, thus, hindering its normal regeneration, which causes bone defects [375] . Bone defects require artificial scaffold support during the healing process and bone growth.…”

Sustainable Sources of Raw Materials for Additive Manufacturing of Bone‐Substituting Biomaterials

“…Eggshell powder (<25 μm), seashell powder (<50 μm), and fish bone powder (<75 μm) have been mixed with polylactic acid (PLA) granules. [197][198][199] The addition of 4 wt% eggshell and 10 wt% seashell powder has been shown to improve the tensile and compressive mechanical properties of PLA. [197,198] Meanwhile, the addition of 10 wt% fish bone powder reduced the tensile strength of the PLA composite filaments due to the release of oil from the raw fish bone which acted as a plasticizer.…”

“…[197][198][199] The addition of 4 wt% eggshell and 10 wt% seashell powder has been shown to improve the tensile and compressive mechanical properties of PLA. [197,198] Meanwhile, the addition of 10 wt% fish bone powder reduced the tensile strength of the PLA composite filaments due to the release of oil from the raw fish bone which acted as a plasticizer. [199] Oyster shell powder (<63 μm) and fish bone-derived HA powder have been added to strengthen PCL scaffolds.…”

Biowelding 3D-Printed Biodigital Brick of Seashell-Based Biocomposite by Pleurotus ostreatus Mycelium

“…Recently, limited attempts to develop and study seashell biocomposites focused on their mechanical and chemical properties as regenerative materials for regenerative medicine applications, replacing the expensive, invasive, and infectious practices such as grafts. For example, Razali, et al, developed PLA biocomposites filled with calcined seashell particles prepared by melt mixing technique using a twin-screw extruder to produce a homogenous dispersion of fillers within the biopolymeric matrix, with enhanced tensile modulus and strength compared to the typical PLA [10] . Other studies proposed seashell composites as an alternative building material.…”