Investigation on the wear characteristics of 3D printed graphene-reinforced PLA composites

In recent years, the growing need for multifunctional materials with customized features has fueled the development of innovative materials and production processes. Graphene, recognized for its superior mechanical, thermal, and electrical characteristics, has shown considerable promise in a variety of applications. This research focuses on the manufacture and characterisation of graphene-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites using material extrusion. The composites were created by melting PLA pellets with graphene nanoplatelets and then 3D printing them together. Pin-on-disc tests were used to analyze wear behavior, and the graphene-reinforced PLA demonstrated a 55% increase in wear resistance when compared to clean PLA. This increase is linked to the creation of protective layers during frictional sliding, as well as graphene's lubricating characteristics. The microstructure was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and statistical analysis revealed the influence of printing settings and load conditions on wear performance and surface morphology. Overall, the work illustrates the promise of graphene-reinforced PLA composites for applications requiring high wear resistance, as seen by considerable quantitative gains over unmodified PLA.