Three-dimensional printing technologies enable the production of prototypes, finished products, and even entire buildings. By adding material layer by layer, products are formed directly from a computer model without the need for additional molds. Due to the many advantages of 3D printing, its use is rapidly increasing, along with the consumption of materials. This growth in material usage could be made more sustainable by incorporating wood into the mix. The purpose of this task was to develop a mixture of wood particles, plaster, and glue that would allow for extrusion-based 3D printing. We tested mixtures with different proportions of wood, plaster, and glue, measuring the average force required for extrusion through the printing nozzle. Using the selected mixtures, we 3D printed simple test pieces, measured their bending strength, and assessed the influence of individual components on the material properties. The results showed that increasing the proportion of wood in the mixture raised the force required for extrusion, while a higher glue content reduced this force. The highest flexural strength, 6.7 N/mm², was achieved by specimens made from a mixture containing 25 % glue, 22 % wood particles, and 53 % plaster. While adding glue increased the strength, the addition of wood had the opposite effect. The proportion of wood also affected the mass loss and the bending of the specimens during hardening. Due to shrinkage and material settling during drying, the accuracy of the finished products is limited, making this material more suitable for products with lower shape accuracy requirements.
|