The hypothesis for this project is ‘Can we replace carbon fiber with nanocellulose as a strength agent in Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)-filaments for 3D printing’?
Today, carbon fiber is often used as additive for improved mechanical properties in plastics and biocomposites. But carbon fiber is made from non-renewable petrochemicals and causes technical problems in the production of 3D-printer FFF-filaments. Instead, we want to test whether it is possible to replace carbon fiber with nanocellulose, which is an environmentally friendly material of renewable origin. However, natural nanocellulose degrades under the conditions prevailing in 3D-filament production. Mid Sweden University and Organofuel Sweden AB have developed and patented methods to develop and modify nanocellulose. The stabilized nanocellulose will be compounded with various (bio-)plastics to biocomposite granulates at Trifilon AB, and Infold AB will then extrude the granulate into 3D-filaments. The filaments with different compositions will be analyzed for 3D-printability and chemical and mechanical properties.
Participants
Mid Sweden University, Infold AB, Trifilon AB and Organofuel Sweden AB.
Budget & time plan
The project’s total budget is 480 000 MSEK and the project runs during six months – between November 2020 and March 2021.
The picture shows a 3D printer, with a roll of yellow filament to the right.