Investigation of Fish Scale Powder Reinforcement in PLA Filaments for Sustainable Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a cellulosic material that may have potential in biomedical applications. This study examines mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of PLA composites reinforced with fish scale powder (FSP) at various proportions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy show the distinct crystalline structures and chemical compositions of PLA and FSP within the prepared composites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) exposes the thermal constancy of PLA/FSP composites, with degradation temperatures allied with commercial PLA standards. Mechanical testing exhibits significant improvements in the mechanical properties of tensile strength, flexibility, impact resistance, and hardness in PLA/FSP composites compared to unreinforced PLA composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures reveal surface morphology variations with FSP content, indicating a reduction in porosity and enhancement of structural integrity. The incorporation of FSP increased tensile strength by about 15%, tensile modulus by about 20%, flexural strength by about 40%, flexural modulus by about 48%, impact strength by about 25%, and microhardness by about 15% compared to pure PLA. These outcomes highlight the potential of PLA/FSP composites in biomedical applications, such as tooth root replacements, bioscaffolds, and bone fracture fixation, offering sustainable and effective solutions in biomedical engineering challenges.