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Enhanced PLA/PEG filaments for sustainable high-performance 3D printing using PLA synthesized from commercial lactic acid.

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Title: Enhanced PLA/PEG filaments for sustainable high-performance 3D printing using PLA synthesized from commercial lactic acid.
Authors: Cuervo, Laura V.1,2 (AUTHOR) lcuervog@unal.edu.co, Rojas, Oscar E.2 (AUTHOR), Sanchez, Luis E.1 (AUTHOR), Herrera, Liz K.1 (AUTHOR), Serrato, Juan C.2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Materials Science. Dec2025, Vol. 60 Issue 46, p23155-23175. 21p.
Subjects: Polyethylene glycol, Polylactic acid, Thermal properties, Fibers, Biodegradable materials, Three-dimensional printing, Mechanical behavior of materials
Abstract: Additive manufacturing has incorporated renewable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), but its low mechanical and thermal properties require the addition of 20% to 40% w/w of additives, which can reduce tensile strength by up to 60% and material degradation temperatures by 10 to 20 °C. This research seeks to reduce the use of commercial PLA additives by developing 3D printing filaments that incorporate a compatible plasticizer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and synthesized PLA (PLA-R), in a lesser extent. The study presents the synthesis of filaments for fused filament fabrication (FFF) using a blend of commercial PLA, PLA-R obtained from 90% pure lactic acid, and PEG. The study focused on the evaluation of three blend ratios: these are pelletized and extruded using a single-screw extruder to produce filaments with a target diameter of 1.75 mm. Mechanical and thermal performance were evaluated using tensile testing and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The optimal formulation contains 80% commercial PLA, 15% PEG, and 5% PLA-R, resulting in a consistent filament diameter. This formulation was used to fabricate Dogbone samples on a desktop 3D printer using FFF. These samples were subsequently analyzed using tensile testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), demonstrating their improved properties and suitability for additive manufacturing. Development of PLA-Based Filament for 3D Printing, Divided into Four Stages – (1) Ring Opening Polymerization of PLA-R; (2) Development of polymer blends; (3) Obtaining Filament by Extrusion; 4) 3D Printing by Fused Filament Fabrication Method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Additive manufacturing has incorporated renewable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), but its low mechanical and thermal properties require the addition of 20% to 40% w/w of additives, which can reduce tensile strength by up to 60% and material degradation temperatures by 10 to 20 °C. This research seeks to reduce the use of commercial PLA additives by developing 3D printing filaments that incorporate a compatible plasticizer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and synthesized PLA (PLA-R), in a lesser extent. The study presents the synthesis of filaments for fused filament fabrication (FFF) using a blend of commercial PLA, PLA-R obtained from 90% pure lactic acid, and PEG. The study focused on the evaluation of three blend ratios: these are pelletized and extruded using a single-screw extruder to produce filaments with a target diameter of 1.75 mm. Mechanical and thermal performance were evaluated using tensile testing and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The optimal formulation contains 80% commercial PLA, 15% PEG, and 5% PLA-R, resulting in a consistent filament diameter. This formulation was used to fabricate Dogbone samples on a desktop 3D printer using FFF. These samples were subsequently analyzed using tensile testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), demonstrating their improved properties and suitability for additive manufacturing. Development of PLA-Based Filament for 3D Printing, Divided into Four Stages – (1) Ring Opening Polymerization of PLA-R; (2) Development of polymer blends; (3) Obtaining Filament by Extrusion; 4) 3D Printing by Fused Filament Fabrication Method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00222461
DOI:10.1007/s10853-025-11532-y