Understanding the Effects of Infill Patterns and Fiber Loading on Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Tobacco Stalks-PLA Composites Using X-Ray Tomography

This study utilized the Philippine burley and native tobacco as reinforcing materials to Polylactic Acid (PLA) in creating novel natural fiber-thermoplastic 3D printing filaments. As a new material for 3D printing, the effects of fiber loading, fiber species, and printing pattern on the mechanical properties of the tobacco fiber-PLA composites were investigated. Regardless of tobacco species and fiber loading, the honeycomb pattern showed superior tensile strength than its rectilinear counterpart. The same trend was also observed in the impact strength of some tobacco-PLA samples. Increase in fiber loading on the other hand, decreased the flexural strength and flexural modulus of the tobacco fiber-PLA composites. The trends in the mechanical properties were then analyzed using 3D X-Ray Computed Tomography, which allowed analysis and visualization of voids and layer patterns.