Bio-polymers are environmentally friendly and can degrade enzymatically. PLA is one of bio-degradable polymer that has shown good mechanical strength similar-to non-biodegradable polymers. However, the ultimate strength of PLA is limited to 50MegaPascal. our goal is to enhance the mechanical properties of PLA by adding nano alumina particles and test as per ASTM standard. To support this study we used Nano- molecular-dynamics simulation-tool for investigating the reaction between PLA and nano alumina in the presence of solvents such as Dichloromethane and Di-methyl-formamide. Initially, I prepared 0, 5 and 10% alumina infused composite solutions using organic solvents such as DCM and DMF individually. As a result, a thin film was obtained after drying. The film is cut into small pieces and fed into extruder to draw a nice extruded filament. During this phase, a Necking issue was found and it was mitigated by controlling the heating and cooling parameters. These Extruded filaments are printed using a 3D printer into a dogbone-shape test-specimen. During this phase, a difficulty was faced to print 95% infill as the filament often slips due to its necking effect. Finally, the specimens were subjected to a tensile test and the results show that the reaction between PLA and nano-Alumina changes in the presence of DMF and DCM.
Fabrication of Poly-lactic Acid – Alumina Composite Filament for 3D Printing: An Experimental and Computational Study
1. Fabrication of Polylactic Acid – Alumina Composite Filament for 3D
Printing: An Experimental and Computational Study
Mohammed Syed Mustafa1, Andrey Zaznaev2, Sriharsha Sundarram1, Isaac Macwan2
1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
2. Department of Bioengineering, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
INFORMATION
• Further studies are underway to investigate the effects
of increased temperature on PLA interactions with
alumina nanoparticles (as required by 3D printers to
form the filament);
• Characterization of this nanocomposite is to be further
performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and
see if the data would support the simulation results.
FUTURE PLANS
DESIGN AND TESTING
• 0%, 5% and 10% alumina infused composite
solvents were prepared using Ultrasonic stirring
approach.
• Composite film subsequently is fed into extruder
machine to obtain extruded filament.
• Test specimen were manufactured using 3D printer
as per ASTM D638 TYPE IV dimensions.
• Fabricated test specimens were subjected to tensile
test according to ASTM D638.
• Composite thin films subjected to Scanning electron
microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray
spectroscopy analysis to analyze the presence and
dispersion of alumina particles.
INTRODUCTION
• Demand for polymer bio composites has been
increased to support growing emphasis on stringent
environmental and waste management policies in
places worldwide.
• Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the popular
thermoplastic biopolymers that is used for
applications such as 3D printing filament, packaging
material, medical devices and tableware.
• However, Ultimate strength of PLA is only around 50
MPa, which restricts its use from applications
requiring higher strength values.
OBJECTIVES
• Fabricate PLA-alumina using solvent techniques and
manufacture 3D printed specimen with improved
mechanical properties compared to pure PLA.
• Validate the experimental results with molecular
dynamics simulations for control PLA and PLA-
alumina complex for 100 ns each to investigate non-
bonding interactions of PLA and alumina in the
presence of DMF.
Acknowledgement
Earl and Hildagunda Brinkman Private Charitable
Foundation,
Fairfield University
• VMD (Visual Molecular Dynamics) is used to
visualize and analyze the PLA-alumina complex and
NAMD (Nanoscale Molecular Dynamics) is used to
perform all – atom molecular dynamics simulations
for 100 ns each at room temperature.
• The models are generated based on CHARMM force
field parameters.
MODELING AND SIMULATION
SIMULATION SCREENSHOTS
Figure 1. PLA initial
condition
Figure 2. PLA condition
at 10 ns
EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
0
4
8
12
16
20
24
28
0% Al 5% Al 10% Al
Yield Strength (MPa)
Dimethylformamide (DMF) Dichloromethane (DCM)
Editor's Notes
My name is Mohammed. I am a grad student from mechanical engineering
Our topic is fabrication of PLA-Alumina composite-filament for 3D Printing. This study involves a experimental and a computational analysis.
Bio-polymers are environmental friendly and can degrade enzymatically.
PLA is one of bio-degradable polymer that has shown good mechanical strength similar-to non-biodegradable polymers
However, the ultimate strength of PLA is limited to 50MegaPascal.
our Goal is to enhance the mechanical properties of PLA by adding nano alumina particles and test as per ASTM standard.
To support this study we used Nano- molecular-dynamics simulation-tool for investigating the reaction between PLA and nano alumina in the presence of solvents such as Dichloromethane and Di-methyl-formamide
Initially, I prepared 0, 5 and 10% alumina infused composite solution using organic solvents such as DCM and DMF individually. As a result, a thin film was obtained after drying.
The film is cut into small pieces and fed into extruder to draw a nice extruded filament. During this phase, a Necking issue was found and it was mitigated by controlling the heating and cooling parameters.
These Extruded filaments are printed using 3D printer into a dogbone-shape test-specimen. During this phase, a difficulty was faced to print 95% infill as the filament often slip due its necking effect.
Finally, the specimens were subjected to a tensile test and the results show that the reaction between PLA and nano-Alumina changes in the presence of DMF and DCM.
From here Andrey will explain on simulation part.
SEM provides detailed high resolution nano level images of the sample by rastering a focused electron beam across the surface and detecting secondary or backscattered electron signal. An Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analyzer (EDX or EDA) is also used to provide elemental identification and quantitative compositional information.
