Bio-inspired additive manufacturing of PLA composites reinforced with Alangium salviifolium bark fibers for 3D printing applications Jagadeesh Palanisamy, Karthik Krishnasamy, Bhuvaneshwaran Mylsamy Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part C Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 2026 The increasing demand for sustainable materials in additive manufacturing (AM) has driven significant interest in natural fiber–reinforced biodegradable composites. This study investigates the feasibility of using Alangium salviifolium bark (ASB) fibers as a novel bio-based reinforcement for polylactic acid (PLA) in fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. Composite filaments were fabricated by incorporating ASB fibers at different loadings (1–4 wt.%) into PLA using a single-screw extrusion process, followed by the fabrication of test specimens in accordance with ASTM standards. Mechanical characterization was carried out through tensile, flexural, compression, hardness, impact, and wear tests, while morphological and structural analyses were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results demonstrated a significant enhancement in the mechanical performance of PLA with ASB fiber incorporation, with optimum properties achieved at 2 wt.% fiber loading. At this concentration, tensile strength (50.44 MPa), flexural strength (61.03 MPa), compression strength (55.67 MPa), and Young’s modulus reached maximum values compared to neat PLA. Impact strength improved by approximately 29%, and hardness showed a consistent increase with increasing fiber content. Improved wear resistance was observed at 1–2 wt.% fiber loadings, while higher concentrations led to performance deterioration due to fiber agglomeration. SEM analysis confirmed uniform fiber dispersion and strong interfacial bonding at lower loadings, whereas XRD results indicated enhanced crystallinity up to 2 wt.% reinforcement. Overall, the study establishes ASB fibers as an effective and sustainable reinforcement for PLA, highlighting their potential for eco-friendly structural and functional applications in additive manufacturing.
Defective vigna radiata waste as a functional reinforcement in polylactic acid composites for additive manufacturing Dhayanithi Gnanasekaran, Pandian Mani, Bhuvaneshwaran Mylsamy, Ganesh Nataraj Revista Materia, 2026 This study investigates the use of defective Vigna radiata (Vr) powder derived from discolored, broken, or expired mung beans unsuitable for consumption as a natural filler to improve the properties of polylactic acid (PLA) for 3D-printing filaments. As an agricultural byproduct, Vr provides a biodegradable and sustainable alternative to synthetic fillers, aiming to enhance the mechanical and functional performance of PLA composites. Eco-friendly PLA/Vr filaments were developed for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Vr powder was prepared by drying, grinding, and sieving, and incorporated into PLA at 1%, 2%, and 3% weight fractions using single screw melt extrusion. The extruded filaments were 3D-printed using FDM on an Ender 3 V2 with optimized settings (nozzle ~200°C, bed 60–70°C) to fabricate test specimens. Mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and compressive strength, hardness, and impact resistance were evaluated, while morphological and structural characteristics were analyzed using SEM, XRD, and FTIR. At 1% Vr loading, tensile strength increased by 8.14%, flexural strength by 9.75%, and compressive strength by 7.64% compared to neat PLA. SEM confirmed uniform filler dispersion, while XRD and FTIR indicated enhanced crystallinity. Overall, Vr-reinforced PLA composites demonstrate improved performance making them promising for biomedical and eco-friendly consumer applications.
Investigation on Mechanical Physicochemical Properties of Novel Natural Fiber from Bauhinia Racemosa and Its Epoxy Composites Sureshkumar Theivasigamani, Senthilkumar Chinnappan, Mylsamy Bhuvaneshwaran, R. Bhuvaneshwaran, K. Ajay, et al. Materials Science Forum, 2025 This study presents the Assessment of the structural, compositional, and performance characteristics of the obtained fiber from Bauhinia Racemosa (BR). Epoxy composites reinforced with Bauhinia Racemosa fiber (BRF) Were produced through the use of the compression molding process. Chemical analysis revealed that BRF contains a high percentage of cellulose, while exhibiting relatively low amounts of lignin, ash, and wax. Mechanical performance was assessed through tensile, flexural, and impact strength tests. Examination of the fracture surfaces using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that fiber pull-out was one of the main modes of failure, matrix cracking, and fiber breakage.
Enhancing Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Plasma-Treated Sisal and Pineapple Leaf Fibers P S Sampath, C Abishek, S Jaivikas, V Janarthanan, A Karthik, et al. Journal of Physics Conference Series, 2025 The aim of this study was to examine the properties of epoxy composites that have sisal fiber (SF) and pineapple leaf (PF) reinforcements. Using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma for different periods ranging from 3 to 15 minutes, both fibers were treated. A combination of epoxy resin (EP), SF, or PF was prepared with or without plasma treatment. Fibers treated with plasma had a higher peak intensity of carboxyl groups in their Fourier-transform infrared spectra. A maximum tensile strength (TS) (up to 62.26 MPa) was observed in EP/SF treated for 15 minutes, but a more notable increase in elongation break (EB) (6.89 %) was observed in EP/PF treated for the same amount of time. In comparison to the sisal composites, the flexural strength (FS) of the pineapple leaf composites was found to be up to 63.2 MPa after plasma treatment. Both composites’ interfacial bonding and fiber surface roughness were enhanced by the plasma treatment. Following treatment with DBD plasma, both the wettability and thermal stability were enhanced. Composites’ mechanical, thermal, and wettability properties were improved by DBD of plasma treated surfaces, which increased interfacial bonding among the fibers and the epoxy.
The sustainability of composites for automobiles Senthil Kumar Maruthamuthu Shanmugam, Karthik Aruchamy, Bhuvaneshwaran Mylsamy, Thirumurugan Velayutham, Sathish Kumar Palaniappan, et al. Sustainable Composites for Automotive Engineering, 2025
Experimental Investigation on the Tensile and Impact Strength of Ficus Religiosa Stem and Sisal Fiber Reinforced Polymer Hybrid Composites Durai Subramaniyan, Sureshkumar Theivasigamani, K. Perumal, Bhuvaneshwaran Mylsamy, K. Kathiravan, et al. Materials Science Forum, 2025 The aim of this study of mechanical behavior of these composites under tensile and impact loading and their applicability to real applications is the goal. Group 1 The ultimate tensile strength of Ficus religiosa stem fiber is 11.939[N/mm²]. Group 2 ultimate strength of sisal fiber is 9.006 [N/mm²]. As indicated by the results, sisal fibers significantly enhanced the impact resistance and tensile strength of composite materials, therefore they are viable to apply in various engineering application. displayed promise as an inherent composite with limited mechanical potential, as indicated by its good tensile and impact strength.
Polyolefin fiber: composites and applications Karthik Aruchamy, M. Bhuvaneshwaran, Thirumurugan Velayutham, Sathish Kumar Palaniappan Synthetic and Mineral Fibers their Composites and Applications, 2024
Polyacrylonitrile fiber: composites and applications Sathish Kumar Palaniappan, Karthik Aruchamy, M. Bhuvaneshwaran, Thirumurugan Velayutham, K. Manickaraj Synthetic and Mineral Fibers their Composites and Applications, 2024
Metallic fibers: applications and composites Karthik Aruchamy, P.S. Sampath, M. Bhuvaneshwaran, G. Umachitra, Sivasubramanian Palanisamy, et al. Synthetic and Mineral Fibers their Composites and Applications, 2024
Coating of fibers and polymers with synthetic materials Thirumurugan Velayutham, G.K. Manikandan, Karthik Aruchamy, Bhuvaneshwaran Mylsamy, Sathish Kumar Palaniappan, et al. Surface Modification and Coating of Fibers Polymers and Composites Techniques Properties and Applications, 2024
Coating techniques for coating fibers and polymers and their stability Sachin S. Raj, Bhuvaneshwaran Mylsamy, Thirumurugan Velayutham, Karthik Aruchamy, Sathish Kumar Palaniappan, et al. Surface Modification and Coating of Fibers Polymers and Composites Techniques Properties and Applications, 2024
