Topological approach for optimizing the compressive properties of the square lattice-structured recycled walnut shell Poly Lactic Acid composite

In the polymer additive manufacturing process, lightweight biopolymeric components are developed by introducing lattice structures and reinforcing neat polymeric matrices with various types of organic fillers. The present work concentrates on the extrusion of Walnut Shell/PLA (WSP) composite filament and utilizing it for the fabrication of lattice-structured composite materials. The topology-based factors of the unit cell and studying the impact of topology-based factors on the compressive strength and compressive strength/density property of the developed lattice-structured composites. The topology-based factors such as cell size, skewing angle, wall thickness, and cell orientation of the unit cell were varied to develop a lightweight component with better compressive strength. The results highlighted that the lattice-structured WSP biopolymeric composites attained a higher compressive strength due to a lower cell size of 1.5 mm, a higher skewing angle of 20°, a higher wall thickness of 0.88 mm, a cell orientation of 90°. The major percentage contribution among the various topological design factors for obtaining higher compressive strength will be cell size of 44.60% and skewing angle of 25.27%. The regression study results show that, the R-square value of the lattice-structured WSP biopolymeric composites concerning compressive strength will be 90.11 and compressive strength/density will be 94.07. Fractured composites depicted that, the mode of fracture is majorly influenced by cell size and skewing angle. Developed WSP lattice-structured composite is more appropriate for low-strength applications such as household applications such as shelves coverages, windows, photo frames, and racks.