abstract
A cork-like filament fully biodegradable and filled with low granulometry cork powder residues was developed. Cork-polymer composites (CPC) were prepared using a Brabender type mixer incorporating 15% (w/w) of cork powder (corresponding to 55% (v/v)) and having polylactic acid (PLA) as matrix. In order to promote a chemical adhesion between cork particles and PLA, the effect of maleic anhydride grafted PLA (MAgPLA) was studied. Fourier Transform Infrared - Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR) analysis was used to evaluate the functionalization of MAgPLA onto the polymeric chain. The addition of MAgPLA enhanced the mechanical behavior by increasing tensile properties while improving the dispersion of cork particles within PLA matrix. In addition, cork particles and MAgPLA acted as nucleating agents during PLA melting process. To evaluate the printability of the developed CPC filament, specimens were printed by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) and compared to those obtained by injection molding (IM). FFF allowed to preserve the cork alveolar structure in the specimens, benefiting CPC mechanical behavior. 3D parts could be printed with the CPC filament thereby demonstrating the usefulness of the fully biodegradable cork-based filament here developed. 3D printed parts exhibit unique characteristics, such as a nonplastic and warm touch, a natural colour and the release of a pleasant odour during the printing process.
keywords
POLYMER COMPOSITES; POLY(LACTIC ACID); MALEIC-ANHYDRIDE; MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES; COUPLING AGENT; PLA; BIOCOMPOSITES; PARAMETERS; FUNCTIONALIZATION; BEHAVIOR
subject category
Engineering; Materials Science
authors
da Silva, SPM; Antunes, T; Costa, MEV; Oliveira, JM
our authors
Maria Elisabete Jorge Vieira Costa
Collaborator
Sara Patrícia Magalhães da Silva
Junior ResearcherGroups
G2 - Photonic, Electronic and Magnetic Materials
G4 - Renewable Materials and Circular Economy
acknowledgements
This work was supported by COMPETE 2020 - Programa Operacional Competividade e Internacionalizacao within TT@ESAN project (NORTE-01-0246-FEDER-000001). This work was also developed within the scope of UID/CTM/50011/2019 project from CICECOAveiro Institute of Materials, financed by Portuguese funds through the FCT/MCTES. Authors would also want to acknowledge Maria Celeste Azevedo for the FTIR-ATR measurements and Marta Ferro for the support during SEM analyses.