Structural and mechanical performance of material extrusion-based 3D printed PLA/Lawsonia inermis composite
Nikhil Bharat, Vishal Mishra, Dhinakaran Veeman, Vijay Kumar, Gautam Setia
Abstract
The current study explored the development and characterization of poly-lactic acid (PLA) and Lawsonia inermis (LI) composites for sustainable additive manufacturing. LI is a sustainable material that was incorporated into PLA at 15 wt.% to enhance mechanical properties while maintaining biodegradability. Filaments were produced via extrusion and the samples were 3D printed for the evaluation of tensile, bending, and compressive properties following ASTM standards. Neat PLA exhibited a tensile strength of 63 MPa and a bending strength of 99 MPa, demonstrating efficient stress distribution due to its homogeneous polymer matrix. However, its brittle nature limited its compressive strength. The PLA/15 wt.% LI composite significantly improved compressive strength, reaching 90 MPa compared to 63 MPa for neat PLA. This enhancement is attributed to LI's reinforcing effect, which resists matrix collapse and provides structural support under compressive loading. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed LI's successful integration, with additional spectral peaks suggesting chemical interactions and improved hydrogen bonding. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed filler distribution, surface roughness, and agglomerations, while energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed LI's elemental contributions. These findings demonstrate the potential of PLA/LI composites as sustainable materials for additive manufacturing, offering a balance between biodegradability and improved mechanical performance.