439. 3-D Printed PLA: Making a commonly brittle polymer elastic and ductile via annealment.

Presenter(s)

Salvador Rohan

Abstract or Description

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a linear aliphatic thermoplastic. It is most common in 3D printing materials, which allows for ease of manufacturing and versatility in the objects being printed. This polyester is biodegradable and biocompatible which lends it to being used in several different fields. PLA, which commonly has strain values around 7-12%, making it brittle yet strong among several 3D printed materials. However, it lacks the elasticity seen in other materials such as Polypropylene, another commonly 3D printed material. Naturally, seeing PLA exhibit ductile properties would not only be interesting but also open the doors to allow PLA to be used in more ductile endeavors. By varying the infill percentages and the treatment that the samples were exposed to, the overall ductility and tensile strength can be changed and manipulated via the treatment it is exposed to. 

Mentor

Dr. Rigoberto Advincula