Title: Evaluating the effect of various printing parameters on mechanical behaviour of bio composite

Authors: Hiral H. Parikh; Krish Bhatia

Addresses: School of Engineering and Technology, Navrachana University, Vadodara 391410, Gujarat, India ' School of Engineering and Technology, Navrachana University, Vadodara 391410, Gujarat, India

Abstract: The beginning of composite materials stands as a pivotal advancement in material engineering, bringing together distinct components to form hybrid structures that surpass the limitations of their individual constituents. This breakthrough was particularly notable with the addition of polymers and reinforcing bio fibres, resulting in bio-composite materials poised to replace conventional materials across various applications. However, mass production of these bio-composites presents a challenge due to reliance on skilled labour and costly manufacturing processes. Additive manufacturing, notably 3D printing, has emerged as a solution, facilitating the creation of complex geometries at scale. In this study, we aim to evaluate the impact of various printing parameters - such as print speed, infill density, and print orientation - on the mechanical properties (including tensile strength, and flexural strength) of wood PLA composites. These composites find applications in diverse industries, including automotive, structural, and architectural sectors. To systematically investigate these effects, Box-Behnken design of experiments methodology was used. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilised to find the influence of different input parameters on the responses.

Keywords: 3D printing; bio composites; mechanical characterisations; Box Behnken; design of experiment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2026.150694

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2026 Vol.17 No.1, pp.35 - 46

Received: 29 Jun 2024
Accepted: 11 Aug 2024
Published online: 22 Dec 2025 *

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