Preparation of 3D Printed PLA Composites and Their Application in Packaging Field

TANG Lu

doi:10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2025.21.006

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Packaging Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (21) : 52-58. DOI: 10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2025.21.006

Advanced Materials

Preparation of 3D Printed PLA Composites and Their Application in Packaging Field

TANG Lu^*

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Abstract

The work aims to prepare 3D printed PLA composites with bio-based degradable PLA as the matrix, along with toughening agents and chopped carbon fibers as modifying fillers, so as to explore the potential applications of these composites in the packaging field, and provide new insights for the development of biodegradable bio-based packaging materials. The 3D printed PLA composites were prepared by melt blending modification. Interface bonding was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The tensile, bending, compressive and combustion specimens were fabricated via fused deposition modeling technology, and performance tests were conducted. An Allen wrench packaging box was successfully formed using 3D printed PLA composites. Experimental results showed that when the addition amounts of toughening agent and chopped carbon fiber were 3% and 4% respectively, the chopped carbon fibers exhibited good interfacial compatibility with the PLA matrix, the tensile and bending properties were effectively improved. The 3D printed PLA composite specimen has a tensile strength of (36.0±0.5) MPa, a bending strength of (62.0±0.6) MPa, and a compressive strength of (60.7±0.7) MPa. The Allen wrench packaging box demonstrated good surface finish and high dimensional accuracy. It can be concluded that 3D printed PLA composites possess excellent mechanical properties and eco-friendly characteristics, making them promising for high-end packaging applications.

Key words

bio-based degradable PLA materials / fused deposition modeling technology / chopped carbon fibers / Allen wrench packaging box

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TANG Lu. Preparation of 3D Printed PLA Composites and Their Application in Packaging Field[J]. Packaging Engineering. 2025, 46(21): 52-58 https://doi.org/10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2025.21.006

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