Study of thermal and rheological properties of PLA loaded with carbon and halloysite nanotubes for additive manufacturing

Christian Mauricio Cobos, Luis Garzón, Juan López Martinez, Octavio Fenollar, Santiago Ferrandiz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to propose using polylactic acid (PLA) as an alternative to nanocomposites in additive manufacturing processes in fusion deposition modelling (FDM) systems and describe its thermal and rheological conditions with multi-wall carbon nanotube (PLA/MWCNT) and halloysite nanotube (PLA/HNT) composites for possible applications in additive manufacturing processes. Design/methodology/approach: PLA/MWCNTs and PLA/HNTs were obtained through fusion in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. PLA was mixed with different percentages of MWCNTs and HNTs at concentrations of 0.5 Wt.%, 0.75 Wt.% and 1 Wt.%. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and capillary rheometry were used to characterise these products, together with an analysis of the melt flow index (MFI). Findings: The DSC data revealed that the nanocomposites had a glass transition temperature T g = 65 ± 2°C and a melting temperature T m = 169 ± 1°C. The crystallisation temperature of PLA/MWCNTs and PLA/HNTs was between 107 ± 2°C and 129°C, respectively. The viscosity data of PLA/MWCNTs and PLA/HNTs obtained by capillary rheometry indicated that the viscosity of the materials is the same as that of neat PLA. These results were confirmed by the higher fluidity index in the MFI analysis. Originality/value: This paper presents an alternative for the applications of nanocomposites in additive manufacturing processes in FDM systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)738-743
Number of pages6
JournalRapid Prototyping Journal
Volume25
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 13 May 2019

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Halloysites nanotubes
  • Rheological
  • Thermal testing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Study of thermal and rheological properties of PLA loaded with carbon and halloysite nanotubes for additive manufacturing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this