Effect of keratin-rich fibers from rabbit hair in two polymers processed using additive manufacturing: FDM and SLA

• Published in: Journal of manufacturing processes Vol. 120; pp. 1104 - 1114
• Main Authors: Vázquez-Hernández, Concepción, Ramos-Galicia, Lourdes, Velasco-Santos, Carlos, Bertolacci, Laura, Zahid, Muhammad, Yañez-Limón, José Martín, Perotto, Giovanni, Martinez-Hernandez, Ana Laura
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 30.06.2024
• Subjects: Fused deposition modeling; Keratin fibers; Polylactic acid; Polymer composites; Stereolithography; Polymer composites; Fused deposition modeling; Keratin fibers; Stereolithography; Polylactic acid
• ISSN: 1526-6125; 2212-4616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmapro.2024.04.075

Keratin-rich fibers (KFs) from rabbit hair are evaluated in this research as reinforcement material in two polymeric matrices: polylactic acid (PLA) and a resin based on methacrylic esters. Composites were obtained by 3D printing through fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA) techniques. Rabbit hair fibers were treated at mild conditions and room temperature before their incorporation as reinforcement material. Scanning electron microscope micrographs and infrared spectra showed that the structure of the fibers was not damaged. Interestingly, the alkali solution removed impurities from the fibers surface and the interaction with the polymeric matrices was improved. Contact angle measurements showed that the alkaline treatment did not affect their hydrophobic behavior. Tensile tests of the composites showed that incorporation of fibers modified the properties of matrices with both additive manufacturing methods. At low fiber concentrations, PLA specimens manufactured by FDM showed improvement in tensile strength, Young's modulus, and tensile toughness. Additionally, in the flexible resin processed by SLA, improvements in Young's modulus were observed as fiber concentration increased. Dynamic mechanical analysis exhibited a storage modulus increase of up to 46 % for composites based on PLA with 1.5 wt% of fibers respect to the control specimen. For flexible resin composites, the incorporation of KFs at 7.0 wt% rose the storage modulus up to 73 % compared to control specimen. Rabbit hair fibers also increased the thermal insulation property of resin matrices. These results suggest that keratin-rich fibers are good reinforcements in polymer composites manufactured by both 3D printing techniques analyzed here. The presence of the fibers also increased biodegradability of PLA based composites. Therefore, keratin-rich fibers improve the performance of both types of polymeric composites developed by additive manufacturing, diversifying its potential application in different fields. [Display omitted] •Rabbit hairs diversify the properties of composites manufactured by deposition modeling and stereolithography.•Keratin-rich fibers from rabbit hair foment the biodegradability of composites based on PLA.•Low concentrations of keratin-rich fibers improve the tensile properties of PLA composites.•Composites manufactured by stereolithography enhance its storage modulus as keratin-rich fibers load increases.