Fabrication of Polylactide/Carbon Nanopowder Filament using Melt Extrusion and Filament Characterization for 3D Printing

摘要

In this study, less expensive mesoporous nano carbon (NC) infused in polylactide (PLA) thermoplastic filaments were fabricated to improve the electrical properties and maintaining sufficient strength for 3D printing. Solution blending was used for PLA-NC nanocomposite fabrication and melt extrusion was employed to make cylindrical filaments. Mechanical and electrical properties of 1–20[Formula: see text]wt.% of NC-filaments were investigated and significant improvement of conductivity (3.76[Formula: see text]S/m) and sufficient yield strength (35[Formula: see text]MPa) were obtained. SEM images exhibited uniform dispersion of NC in polymer matrix and DSC results showed no significant changes in the glass transition temperature ([Formula: see text]) for all the compositions. Perspective uses of this filament are for fabrication of electrical wires in 3D printed robots, drones, prosthetics, orthotics and others.