One of the cutting-edge materials created for use in a variety of applications is Polylactic acid – PLA
It is biodegradable and thermoplastic. Due to PLA’s advantageous biocompatibility, medical applications can be made utilizing it by first turning it into a filament and then treating it using the FDM process. It may be fragile and has minimal hardness or flexibility. [ 1 ]
It can be altered into a variety of forms and used as implants with specific structures. Recently, the FDM scaffolding method for 3D printing was used to create a graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite material with a configurable structure. [ 1 ]
To improve their mechanical qualities, testing has been done on pure PLA, thermoplastic elastomeric thermoplastic (TPU) blends, and E-glass fiber-reinforced composites (GF). These results support the idea that increasing the tensile and flexural modulus by employing GF as a fiber reinforcement is generally very favourable. [ 1 ]
TPU addition increases the tensile strength of PLA mixtures. [ 1 ]
According to the European Union, only recyclable plastics should be used for consumption. As a result, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) could replace other, more widely used polymers like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). [ 1 ]
Starch, a major carbohydrate created by plants during photosynthetic processes, is one renewable resource that can be used to create the natural polymer known as poly(lactic acid). [ 1 ]
Poly(lactic acid) has played a key role in the replacement of fossil-based polymers in a number of applications since it is a fully aliphatic polymer
With the exception of specific types of polycarbonate, nylon, and composite mixes, most other plastics pale in comparison to PLA in terms of printable surface area and mechanical properties. [ 1 ]
By using PLA, a biostable polymer, the environmental element is taken into account. It also intends to increase sustainability without heating the printing platform. Also, saves energy costs without using adhesives for the platform. [ 1 ]
The environment that a polymer like PLA is stored in has a significant impact on it. This shows that the relative humidity in the location where the material is placed before it is made affects its structural integrity. [ 1 ]
In a dry environment, the PLA becomes stronger but less tenacious. The break appears to be more fragile the dryer the storage environment. [ 1 ]
Yet, the breakage is brought on by the appearance of faults rather than the material’s limit. As a result, it is crucial to gain control over the many variables that affect the process, starting with novel ideas for standardizing the material, composition, and storage. [ 1 ]
As well as the procedures for making and inspecting the parts. [ 1 ]
Material used most frequently for 3D printing has lower temperature resistance and elongation. Moreover, impact strength is better than ABS, but is simple to utilize for 3D printing. [ 1 ]
Electrical circuits and basic sensors like temperature, tension, and touch sensors are printed using the readily available, commercially conductive polylactic acid (PLA) filament
Carbon black (CB), a filler with a somewhat cheap production cost that can be employed in chemical analysis and electrochemical sensors, is what gives the conductive PLA-based filaments their conductivity. [ 2 ]
Moreover, CB can function as a UV (Ultraviolet) absorber, free radical donor and acceptor, hydroperoxide decomposer, and excited state quencher. CB fillers can thereby stop the degradation of polymers, their blends, or composites under certain circumstances. [ 2 ]
It is simple to combine conductive carbon black with other substances, such as metallic nanoparticles or polymers. As a result, carbon black is utilized to make composite materials that are used to make printing inks, active conductive components for polymers, paint pigments, and reinforcements for rubber. [ 2 ]
The inexpensive cost of conductive carbon black has economic benefits, but this substance also exhibits quick charge-transfer kinetics and great analytical sensitivity. As a result, PLA filaments for 3D printing that have been modified with carbon black or other carbonic fillers (such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, etc.) can now be used for electrochemical measurements or sensors. [ 2 ]
Due to its overall balanced processability and performance, as well as its inherent sustainability as a biopolyester made from renewable resources (such as sugar, corn, and beet)
PLA has drawn the most attention for the development of 3D-printing products out of all of these polymers. It is also compostable. [ 3 ]
In the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, for instance, coronamakers, a citizen maker’s movement with a 3D-printing machine, manufactured a large number of face masks, visors, and parts for PPEs (personal protective equipment) using 3D-printed PLA and gladly distributed them to the community. [ 3 ]
Because PLA is compostable, recycled PLA-based items can be composted once they have served their purpose, closing the loop and promoting the circular economy. [ 3 ]
PLA is far more environmentally friendly than ABS because of its creation from the renewable resources
Composite filaments made of metal powder based on polylactic acid have just come to light and have the potential to be used in multiple applications. [ 4 ]
Polylactic acid makes up the majority of the material volume in the composite filaments, which are denser than pure PLA. [ 4 ]
The PLA polymer is blended with biodegradable and non-biodegradable resins and combined with fillers like micro- and nanoparticles or fibers to enhance some qualities and expand the applicability
The material extrusion of thermoplastic filaments, also known as Fused Deposition Modelling in the commercial world, is the most widely used 3D printing process today (FDM). [ 5 ]
Aliphatic polyester known as PLA is made from plants like corn, sugar cane, potatoes, and some others. PLA has both positive and negative qualities, such as low density that makes items lighter, low flammability, high moisture absorption, high ductility, and low toughness that broadens the range of applications. [ 5 ]
In addition to fillers like micro- and nanoparticles or fibers, PLA polymer is blended with biodegradable and non-biodegradable resins. [ 5 ]
Research efforts are being concentrated on creating biocomposite thermoplastic materials. [ 5 ]
