Feasibility of applying 4D printing technology using wood-included filament

Abstract

The feasibility of four-dimensional (4D) printing using wood-included polylactic acid (WPLA) and pure polylactic acid (PLA) via fused deposition modeling (FDM) was investigated in this thesis. Studies included infill pattern and print orientation effects via tensile testing, and moisture sensitivity assessment and thermal deformation analyses, supported by a three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) system. Results showed that infill patterns and print orientation significantly influenced the mechanical properties of printed specimens. Thermal responsiveness tests highlighted substantial bending in WPLA/PLA bilayer structures upon heating. A corrected predictive model accounting for material anisotropy and temperature-dependent behaviors significantly improved deflection predictions compared to conventional models. Overall, this research validated the use of WPLA as a viable smart material for 4D printing and provided critical insights into material behavior and accurate deformation modeling. These findings could unlock the full potential of wood-included filaments in 4D printing, enabling innovative, sustainable, and adaptive solutions across diverse industries.