Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of PLA/PCL-MCC Bio-composite Filaments for FDM 4D Printing

Polylactic Acid (PLA) has been gaining potential for 4D printing application. 4D printing is an emerging technology where 3D printed objects are designed to change shape in response to external stimuli. This innovation has potential applications in smart materials, self-healing structures, and adaptive devices for wide range of applications. However, the limitations of PLA such as brittleness and shape-memory properties. To address this issue, the Polycaprolactone (PCL) is incorporated in this study. this study investigates PLA/PCL-MCC bio-composite filaments with tailored properties for 4D printing. PLA and Polycaprolactone (PCL) were blended in ratios of 90/10, 80/20, and 70/30, with 1% Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) as a reinforcing filler. Mechanical properties, including yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break, were evaluated through tensile testing. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was also conducted to examine the chemical composition and structure. The results revealed that the 90:10 PLA/PCL composition exhibited superior mechanical properties, achieving the highest ultimate tensile strength of 40.18 MPa. This study provides valuable insight into the incorporation of PCL and MCC in PLA-based composites, highlighting their potential for use in 3D and 4D printing applications.