Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is a process of additive manufacturing allowing creating of highly precise complex three-dimensional objects for a large range of applications. The principle of FDM is an extrusion of the molten filament and gradual deposition of layers and their solidification. Potential applications in pharmaceutical and medical fields require the development of biodegradable and biocompatible thermoplastics for the processing of filaments. In this work, the potential of production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB-co-4HB)) filaments for FDM was investigated in respect to its thermal stability. Copolymer P(3HB-co-4HB) was biosynthesised by Cupriavidus malaysiensis. Rheological and mechanical properties of the copolymer were modified by the addition of plasticizers or blending with poly(lactic acid). Thermal stability of mixtures was studied employing thermogravimetric analysis and rheological analyses by monitoring the time-dependent changes in the complex viscosity of melt samples. The plasticization of P(3HB-co-4HB) slightly hindered its thermal degradation but the best stabilization effect was found in case of the copolymer blended with poly(lactic acid). Overall, rheological, thermal and mechanical properties demonstrated that the plasticized P(3HB-co-4HB) is a potential candidate of biodegradable polymer for FDM processes.

Centre of Polymer Systems Tomas Bata University in Zlin Trida Tomase Bati 5678 760 01 Zlin Czech Republic

Department of Food Chemistry and Biotechnology Faculty of Chemistry Brno University of Technology Purkynova 118 612 00 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Physical and Applied Chemistry Faculty of Chemistry Brno University of Technology Purkynova 118 612 00 Brno Czech Republic

Polymer Institute Slovak Academy of Sciences Dubravska Cesta 9 845 41 Bratislava 45 Slovak Republic

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Influence of FFF Process Conditions on the Thermal, Mechanical, and Rheological Properties of Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxy Hexanoate)