Cork–EVA composite filaments for melt-extrusion additive manufacturing
Daver Fugen (1)*, Lee Marcian Kok Peng (1)
(1) RMIT University - Victoria - Australia
We report design and development of cork–ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) filaments for melt-extrusion additive manufacturing, in particular fused deposition modelling. Composites of varying cork composition were melt compounded in an internal mixer and compression moulded for characterisation of mechanical, thermal and morphological properties. Inclusion of cork granules decreased the yield strength, tensile strength, percent elongation at failure but improved Young’s modulus. The use of compatibilizer improved all mechanical properties compared to cork–EVA composites without compatibilizers. A selected cork composite was used for filament production and it proved to be suitable for fused deposition modelling. 3D printed composites showed slightly lower mechanical properties compared to compression molded composites.