ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Development and characterization of Loofah vine stem fiber–volcanic pumice dust reinforced 3d printed bio composites: mechanical, wear, thermal, and wettability analysis

M. G. Ramachandran, S. Manoj Kumar, H. Vinoth Kumar, R. Ashok Raj, and A Chandrashekhar

Department of Printing and Packaging Technology, Anna University, Chennai, India

E-mail: ramachandran.mg1@gmail.com

Received: 12 February 2026  Accepted: 8 April 2026

Abstract:

This study investigates the mechanical, thermal, and surface behavior of poly lactic acid (PLA)-based composites reinforced with silane-treated luffa vine stem microfiber and silane-treated volcanic pumice filler. Mechanical characterization revealed significant improvements in tensile strength, flexural strength, impact energy, and hardness with the incorporation of treated reinforcements. Among all specimens, PLV2 (67 vol. % PLA, 30 vol. % microfiber and 3 vol. % filler)exhibited the highest mechanical performance, achieving a tensile strength of 127 MPa, flexural strength of 141 MPa, impact energy of 4.23 J, and hardness of 81 Shore-D. These enhancements are attributed to the synergistic interaction between silane-treated microfiber and 3 vol. % silane-treated pumice, which improves interfacial adhesion, promotes uniform stress distribution, and enables effective crack-bridging and filler-induced stiffening. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that PLV3 demonstrated the highest thermal stability, with a decomposition temperature of 289 °C and a mass loss of 96%, due to its higher mineral content providing a stronger heat-barrier effect despite containing more organics that contribute to mass loss. Water contact angle measurements also confirmed PLV3 (67 vol. % PLA, 30 vol. % microfiber and 5 vol. % filler)as the most hydrophobic specimen, reaching 75°, an effect derived from increased surface roughness and the hydrophobic silane layers coating the filler particles. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) analysis further supported these findings, showing smooth and brittle fracture surfaces for neat PLA, strong filler–matrix adhesion and improved dispersion for PLV2, and noticeable filler agglomeration in PLV3. Overall, the study highlights that silane treatment significantly enhances interfacial bonding, and the optimal balance for mechanical reinforcement occurs at 3 vol. % filler, while higher filler loading maximizes thermal resistance and hydrophobic behavior.

Keywords: Pumice; Polylactic acid; Stem fiber; Mechanical properties

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04894-3

Chemical Papers 80 (8) 8557–8569 (2026)