Colemanite particle reinforced PLA composite filament production and characterization

In this study, researches were carried out on the filaments, which are the raw materials of 3D printers that provide part manufacturing, by using the fused deposition modeling method (FDM), and the production of colemanite-added composite filament was provided. By dissolving the granular PLA in the solvent, colemanite (2CaO.3B2O3.5H2O) in powder form, which contains more than one mineral, was added at the rates of 1%, 2%, and 3% by weight, respectively, and the mixture was provided. The resulting composite mixture was reduced to granule size by means of a mechanical grinder. Granular PLA-Colemanite mixture and pure PLA granules to be used as a reference were turned into filaments with a diameter of 1.75 mm in a twin screw plastic extruder. In the study, it was aimed to produce colemanite added composite filament with increased combustion resistance. With the filament and composite filaments obtained from pure PLA, the samples determined as the standard for the tensile test, impact test, and flammability test were printed from the 3D printer. After the tensile test was performed, SEM analyzes of the samples were made. The samples designed for the impact test with a diameter of 45 mm and a height of 3 mm were tested under the Low Speed Impact Tester with a load of 3 kg and a conical tip under 10 cm height conditions. For UL94 flammability test, 12.7 mm x 127 mm samples were produced and subjected to flammability test. Negative results were obtained in the combustion test as a result of various compounds that colemanite contains, originating from its mineral structure. With the tensile test, it was seen that the colemanite powder adapts to the PLA structure. Thanks to the fibrous structures it creates, it has been observed that the composite has a ductile structure.