Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites: 3D Printing, Life Cycle Assessment, and Applications

Abstract

Natural fiber-reinforced biopolymer composites are an attractive class of materials owing to their renewability, sustainability, and eco-friendliness. Meanwhile, fused deposition modeling (FDM) is transforming the manufacturing industry and gaining popularity for fabricating intricate and customized geometries that are difficult to produce with traditional techniques. Recently, FDM printing of natural fiber-reinforced PLA composites (NFRPCs) has emerged as a promising approach for developing sustainable green composites with potential application across diverse fields. This review comprehensively examines recent advances in the development of FDM-printed NFRPCs, with particular emphasis on mechanical and tribological properties. In addition, the review examines life cycle assessment (LCA) studies to evaluate the environmental sustainability of FDM-printed NFRPCs and identifies important gaps that require further investigation. Challenges associated with the processing of NFRPCs, including printability, interfacial adhesion, and optimal printing parameters, are also highlighted. Finally, future research directions are proposed to facilitate the development of high-performance, printable, and environmentally sustainable NFRPCs.