Biomass waste from rice and wheat straw for developing composites by stereolithography additive manufacturing

Abstract

In this work, and for the first time according to literature, various sizes of wheat and rice fiber obtained from agricultural residues were incorporated into a photocurable resin for the fabrication of a composite by stereolithography additive manufacturing. Thermal stability studies by thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry showed significant differences depending on the fiber size used. Additionally, an in-depth characterization of both biomass and printed composites by scanning electron microscopy demonstrates how the fiber size is of great importance in the production of this type of composite. Mechanical properties such as elastic modulus, tensile strength and percentage elongation at break showed a correspondence between the value of these properties and the fiber size used. Thermally, structures with relatively low conductivity values are obtained, which provides these novel composites with a great potential to be suitable as boards in buildings.