Extrusion Process for 3D printer Application

Abstract

This research aims to study properties of PLA filament for 3D printer. Melt flow property and thermal properties were investigated. Melt flow index of PLA filament is 12.84±0.72 g/10min. The degradation temperature of PLA filament is approximately 365 ºC and the melting temperature (Tm) of PLA filament is 171 ºC. The melt flow property of commercialized PLA; PLA3025D, is nearby PLA filament. The single screw extruder was used to process PLA 3025D to PLA 3025D_F filament. Melt flow property of PLA 3025D_F filament is comparable to PLA filament. For glass transition temperature, cold crystallization temperature, melting temperature and degree of crystallization of PLA3025D_F are slightly lower than PLA filament. However, PLA3025D_F can be processed by 3D printer. The feature of PLA3025D_F prototype is similar to PLA filament. Moreover, cost of PLA3025D_F filament is lower than PLA filament about 10 times.