MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF FDM PRINTED PLA-MXENE COMPOSITES

This study explores the integration of MXene nanomaterials with Polylactic Acid (PLA) for 3D printing via fused deposition modeling (FDM). Incorporating MXene at concentrations of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 wt% into PLA was carried out to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of the resultant composites. Mechanical testing, including tensile and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), showed notable improvements in mechanical strength with MXene inclusion. The most significant enhancements were observed at 0.25 wt% MXene, with an increase in tensile strength and DMA revealed increased stiffness and energy dissipation. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated minimal changes in transformation temperatures across all composites. SEM analysis of fracture surfaces confirmed the transition from brittle to ductile fracture modes with increasing MXene content, particularly evident at intermediate concentrations. However, further increases in MXene content (1 wt%) led to decreased tensile properties, likely due to agglomeration effects. These findings underscore the potential of PLA-MXene composites in applications requiring improved mechanical performance and vibration damping, demonstrating the effectiveness of 2D materials in enhancing polymer capabilities through additive manufacturing.