Development and evaluation of PLA/snail shell biocomposite filaments for additive manufacturing of scaffolds

Additive Manufacturing finds its application in all fields of engineering and the medical industry. Despite several available additive manufacturing technologies, the current research trends are based on developing materials and composites for specific applications. In this research work, a newly developed PLA/Snail shell composite was characterised to verify its 3D printing feasibility for scaffold application. PLA/Snail shell composite filaments of 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt% compositions were made using a single screw extruder. The filament was tested to understand the influence of filler over the composites’ chemical, thermal and mechanical properties compared with the neat PLA. TGA analysis revealed that the thermal stability of composites decreases with the addition of snail shell fillers. DSC analysis confirms a minimal variation in melting point for PLA and its composites. Glass transition temperature was also not affected much by filler addition, which is necessary for retaining mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. The results of the filament tensile test show the highest tensile strength observed in 6% PLA/snail shell composite with a tensile value of 59.41 MPa. Tensile strength at break was observed at an increased value from neat PLA for 6 and 8 wt% composition of PLA/snail shell composites. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) over the fractured surface observed plastically deformed regions, indicating material ductility and good dispersion of snail shell particles in the PLA matrix was confirmed.