Innovations in sustainable additive manufacturing: PLA, Amazon wood waste, Brazil nut oil

Responding to the growing interest in lignocellulosic materials for 3D printing, this research addresses the need for sustainable solutions, employing Amazonian wood waste and Brazil nut oil (BNO) as a natural binder for polylactic acid (PLA). We successfully developed filaments from a composition of 4% powdered sawdust of Nectandra rubra and Zygia racemosa, respectively with medium and high density, with 91% PLA and 5% BNO, which were extruded and printed. Physical-mechanical and characterization tests were performed using SEM, TGA, and FTIR. The incorporation of wood increased flexural strength, but reduced compression and tensile strength. FTIR analysis showed compatibility between the components, although the addition of wood caused agglomeration as indicated by SEM. The high-density species increased the thermal stability, as indicated by TGA. This study confirms the potential of filament developed with Amazonian woods and BNO, opening new avenues for sustainable additive manufacturing.