Polylactide Used as Filament in 3D Printing – Part 2: TG-DTG, DSC and DRIFT Investigations

Abstract

In this second part of the article, we delve deeper into the research area initiated in the first part, focusing on the critical exploration of polylactide (PLA) modification to enhance thermal and mechanical properties in PLA-based materials, building upon the insights obtained from comprehensive structural and thermal analyses utilizing analytical methods such as infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT), and thermoanalytical research (DRIFT, TG-DTG). A series of structural and thermal analysis research (TG-DTG, DSC, DRIFT) were performed for samples of polylactide (PLA), which is commonly used in additive technologies as a structural material. In total, four materials were considered, including two containing dyes with different colors, a material made of PLA recyclate and a graphene-modified PLA material. It was noted that PLA material reinforced with graphene phase (GRAFYLON®) retains the best thermal properties (TG-DTG), which results in its wider potential for processing, including further modification and usability in manufacturing vehicle structural elements. Recycled PLA material (ALFA+W) was characterized by a higher melting point (T$_{p}$) by more than 20°C than other samples (DSC analysis), so it can be more useful in the production of structural elements operating and used at elevated temperatures.