The Use of Polypropylene and High-Density Polyethylene on Cork Plastic Composites for Large Scale 3D Printing

Brites, Fernando; Malça, Cândida; Gaspar, F.; Horta, J. F.; Franco, M. C.; Biscaia, S.; Mateus, A.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/8245

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Abstract(s)

This work focuses on studying the possibility of 3D printing of composite materials composed by cork and a polymer matrix (CPC). Initially the cork was mixed with two types of polymers (HDPE and PP) in different proportions and later processed using extrusion and injection. The composites were tested to study the physical, chemical and mechanical properties. The material was then tested on a large-scale 3D printer to study its feasibility and the ability to produce new products through 3D printing. Attention was focused on the use of pure cork, varying the concentration of cork and coupling agent in thermoplastic matrix composites of PP and HDPE. It was demonstrated that the increase of 5wt.% of coupling agent in the two types of polymers significantly improved the mechanical properties and adhesion between the phases but the increase in cork concentration decreased mechanical properties and crystallinity. The CPCs with PP showed to have better mechanical properties, better aesthetic and internal structural quality, and easier processability than those with HDPE matrix. Nevertheless, the HDPE CPCs showed a high degree of crystallization. Concerning 3D printing, it was demonstrated the possibility of making new products based on natural cork fibers, showing promising results, although additional research is still needed to optimize the process.

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Acknowledgements This work is supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Centro2020 through the Project references: UID/Multi/04044/2013 and PAMI - ROTEIRO/0328/2013 (Nº 022158). In addition, the authors acknowledge the funding from the project World of Outstanding Wool and Wood (WOWW), POCI-01-0247-FEDER-017574 from the Portuguese National Innovation Agency. The authors gratefully acknowledge to Amorim Cork Composites for the cork powder. We thank Ana O. Tojeira and Ana R. Fonseca for the support provided in performing the laboratorial tests as Laboratory Managing Engineers.

Keywords

3D printing Composite Cork CPC PP HDPE Mechanical and thermal properties Crystallinity

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http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/8245

Citation

Brites, F., Malça, C., Gaspar, F., Horta, J. F., Franco, M. C., Biscaia, S., & Mateus, A. (2019). The Use of Polypropylene and High-Density Polyethylene on Cork Plastic Composites for Large Scale 3D Printing. In Applied Mechanics and Materials (Vol. 890, pp. 205–225). Trans Tech Publications, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.890.205