The production of PLA reinforced with biocarbon and the investigation of tribological properties

In this study, biocarbon was produced from pyrolysis method from wheat straws from 4 different regions of Germany. The produced biocarbon particles have been successfully integrated into polylactide filaments of 1.75 mm in diameter by 5%, 15% and 30% by volume in order to improve the structural and tribological properties of polylactic acid (PLA), a bio-based polymer. In order to investigate the tribological properties of biocarbon reinforced PLA, samples from this filaments using 3D printing method were produced. The results of the Raman spectroscopy show that the in plane crystallite size of the biomass taken from different regions is approximately the same and is equal to 2.35 ± 0.02 nm. Optical and electron scanning microscope images showed that the biocarbon particles in the PLA were distributed very homogeneously. The friction coefficient is more stable for 30% volume reinforced PLA compared to lower particle reinforced PLA (5% and 15%) and unreinforced PLA composites. This effect is due to topographic effects depend on formation of voids on the surface of 30% by volume biocarbon reinforced PLA. Tribological testing results of 3D printed biocarbon reinforced PLA composites has shown that wear resistance increases with the higher volume biocarbon ratio.