Impact of printing temperature on the multifunctionality of PLA/TiO 2 composites fabricated via fused filament fabrication

Abstract

The increasing demand for multifunctional materials in additive manufacturing, especially in biomedical applications, makes it necessary to improve commonly used polymers, such as PLA, in terms of thermal, morphological, and printing quality. In this context, adding nano-additives to PLA polymer, which stands out due to its biocompatible structure, and optimizing the printing temperature used in the production process are among the critical strategies that directly affect the final properties of the material. This study explores the influence of TiO₂ nano-additives and varying print temperatures on PLA matrix composites produced via fused filament fabrication (FFF). Mechanical (tensile and bending), thermal (DSC), flow (MFI), morphological (SEM, surface roughness), and printability characteristics were evaluated. Print temperatures ranged from 180°C to 240°C. The addition of TiO₂ improved thermal stability and increased crystallinity (from 6.4% to 17.4%). Flowability also improved by 9%–29%, depending on print temperature. Although TiO₂ addition caused some decrease in mechanical properties, changing the printing temperature led to improvements in mechanical performance. This suggests that increasing temperatures can partially compensate for the loss of strength due to the nano-additives. Also, surface quality and printability were enhanced. These findings suggest that while TiO₂ additives may slightly compromise mechanical performance, they notably enhance the other properties of PLA composites, making them suitable for applications, such as medical uses, that require a certain multifunctionality.

Graphical Abstract