Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers: 2000–2010

Additive manufacturing (AM) alias 3D printing translates computer-aided design (CAD) virtual 3D models into physical objects. By digital slicing of CAD, 3D scan, or tomography data, AM builds objects layer by layer without the need for molds or machining. AM enables decentralized fabrication of customized objects on demand by exploiting digital information storage and retrieval via the Internet. The ongoing transition from rapid prototyping to rapid manufacturing prompts new challenges for mechanical engineers and materials scientists alike. Because polymers are by far the most utilized class of materials for AM, this Review focuses on polymer processing and the development of polymers and advanced polymer systems specifically for AM. AM techniques covered include vat photopolymerization (stereolithography), powder bed fusion (SLS), material and binder jetting (inkjet and aerosol 3D printing), sheet lamination (LOM), extrusion (FDM, 3D dispensing, 3D fiber deposition, and 3D plotting), and 3D bioprinting....

Polymers for 3D Printing and Customized Additive Manufacturing

Biofibres and Biocomposites

Current strategies of regenerative medicine are focused on the restoration of pathologically altered tissue architectures by transplantation of cells in combination with supportive scaffolds and biomolecules. In recent years, considerable interest has been given to biologically active scaffolds which are based on similar analogs of the extracellular matrix that have induced synthesis of tissues and organs. To restore function or regenerate tissue, a scaffold is necessary that will act as a temporary matrix for cell proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition, with subsequent ingrowth until the tissues are totally restored or regenerated. Scaffolds have been used for tissue engineering such as bone, cartilage, ligament, skin, vascular tissues, neural tissues, and skeletal muscle and as vehicle for the controlled delivery of drugs, proteins, and DNA. Various technologies come together to construct porous scaffolds to regenerate the tissues/organs and also for controlled and targeted release of bioactive agents in tissue engineering applications. In this paper, an overview of the different types of scaffolds with their material properties is discussed. The fabrication technologies for tissue engineering scaffolds, including the basic and conventional techniques to the more recent ones, are tabulated.

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Polymeric scaffolds in tissue engineering application: a review

Mechanical and chemical recycling of solid plastic waste.

https://www.ics.forth.gr/bioloch/docs/Bioloch_BMML.pdf

Blends of Poly-(ε-caprolactone) and Polysaccharides in Tissue Engineering Applications

Functionalization, compatibilization and properties of polypropylene composites with Hemp fibres

Composites of poly(L-lactide) (PLA) with hemp fibers (Cannabis sativa), prepared by batch mixing and plasticized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG; weight-average molecular weight = 600 g/mol), were examined by polarized optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, wide-angle X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and mechanical tests. The properties of both fully amorphous and semicrystalline samples of PLA/hemp and PLA–PEG/hemp composites were analyzed as a function of the fiber amount. The cold-crystallization kinetics of PLA in amorphous composites were investigated under isothermal conditions within the range of 70–130°C. For PLA/hemp samples, the bulk crystallization rate displayed a maximum near 110°C, whereas for plasticized samples, a higher and almost constant crystallization rate was observed over the entire temperature range, independently of the hemp amount. The kinetics were then analyzed on the basis of the Avrami model. The effect of fibers on the growth morphology of PLA spherulites, as well as the influence of the plasticizer on the melting behavior of PLA crystals and their reorganization during heating, was also examined. The thermogravimetric analysis of the composites, carried out in both nitrogen and air, showed that the degradation process of fiber-filled systems started earlier than that of plain PLA, independently of the presence of the plasticizer. Mechanical tests showed that the modulus of elasticity of the composites markedly increased with the hemp content, reaching 5.2 GPa in the case of crystallized PLA reinforced with 20 wt % hemp, whereas the elongation and stress at break decreased with an increasing amount of fiber for all examined systems. Plasticization with PEG did not improve the tensile properties of the composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 105: 255–268, 2007

Composites of poly(L‐lactide) with hemp fibers: Morphology and thermal and mechanical properties

A novel composite material containing 2 wt% of cellulose nanofibers well dispersed in PLA matrix, both materials being biodegradable, was prepared and studied. Biodegradable composites with 2 and 20 wt% of cellulose fibers with standard diameters were also obtained and examined for comparison. The nanocomposite exhibited markedly higher storage modulus as compared to neat PLA and the composite with the same content of cellulose standard fibers. In addition, yield strength of the nanocomposite was improved in comparison with neat PLA, especially at elevated temperature of 45 °C, at which it was higher by 50%. No negative effect of standard fibers and nanofibers on molar mass of PLA matrix was observed. Moreover, the composite materials, including the nanocomposite, did not show weight loss up to 300 °C.

Mechanical and thermal properties of PLA composites with cellulose nanofibers and standard size fibers

Filler toughening of plastics. Part 1 - The effect of surface interactions on physico-mechanical properties and rheological behaviour of ultrafine CaCO3/HDPE nanocomposites

Mariano Pracella

Papers

Blends of Poly-(ε-caprolactone) and Polysaccharides in Tissue Engineering Applications

Functionalization, compatibilization and properties of polypropylene composites with Hemp fibres

Composites of poly(L‐lactide) with hemp fibers: Morphology and thermal and mechanical properties

Mechanical and thermal properties of PLA composites with cellulose nanofibers and standard size fibers

Filler toughening of plastics. Part 1 - The effect of surface interactions on physico-mechanical properties and rheological behaviour of ultrafine CaCO3/HDPE nanocomposites