Panorama of polymer composites reinforced with plant fibers and printed by Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): A systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i12.50366Keywords:
Additive manufacturing, Plant fibers, Polymer composites, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Sustainable construction, Polylactic Acid (PLA).Abstract
Civil construction accounts for a significant share of CO₂ emissions and natural resource consumption, which has driven the search for lower-environmental-impact materials. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and application potential of polymer composites reinforced with plant fibers in sustainable construction, through a systematic review conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Searches were carried out in the ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Dimensions databases, covering the period from 2018 to 2024, totaling 15,482 articles, of which 50 met the selection criteria. The results show a predominance of polylactic acid (PLA)-based matrices and lignocellulosic fibers such as wood, soy, hemp, flax, bamboo, curauá, kenaf, jute, and palm oil residues. The incorporation of plant fibers contributes to increasing the elastic modulus and, under optimized conditions of added fiber content, surface treatment, and printing parameters, also contributes to tensile and flexural strength, while enabling lightweight cellular structures with good energy absorption capacity and, in some cases, relevant acoustic performance. However, gaps remain related to the physical-mechanical behavior of the raw material, the standardization of testing methods, direct comparison with conventional materials, and life cycle assessment under real-use conditions. The synthesis indicates that FDM-printed PLA–plant fiber composites represent a promising route for developing panels, sandwich cores, claddings, and customized architectural elements, contributing to cleaner production in the construction sector.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Felipe Nakamura Bassani, Leonardo Miguel Guzzoni, Maira Vanessa da Rocha, Flávia Aparecida Reitz Cardoso, Luciana Cristina Soto Herek
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