Bioplastic AM + X Research
Relation: AMMRC - Case Western Reserve
University
Role: Materials Researcher
Skills: Additive manufacturing, ASTM standards, FDM printing, hot forging,
mechanical testing, data analysis, MATLAB, X-ray diffraction (XRD)
Background:
This project investigates methods to improve
the strength and ductility of FDM 3D-printed PLA by combining print orientation
changes with hot forging. The goal is to understand how processing affects
mechanical performance and crystallinity in bioplastics.
Direct Contributions:
●
Modeled ASTM D638 tensile
specimens in Siemens NX
●
Printed PLA specimens using an FDM
3D printer
●
Performed hot forging on printed
samples to modify microstructure
●
Laser-cut forged specimens to
final ASTM geometry
●
Analyzed tensile stress–strain
data in MATLAB
●
Analyzed X-ray diffraction data to
relate mechanical behavior to crystallinity
Outcomes:
The project is ongoing. Mechanical testing and
microstructure analysis are being used to evaluate the effects of forging and
print orientation on PLA performance.
