Characterization of industry grade soybean wax for potential applications in natural fiber reinforced composite (NFRC) filaments

A characterization study was conducted to obtain and analyze the thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties of industry grade wax soybean (Glycine max) for coating soy hull fibers from soybean processing in order to incorporate the soy wax coated soy fibers in additive manufacturing applications. The waxes when coated onto soy hull fibers are expected to better the fiber-polymer interface to produce additive manufacturing filaments with improved mechanical properties to be printed using fused filament fabrication technique. The printed parts can then be used in the automotive industry because the parts will be more sustainable, have less carbon footprint, and increased mechanical properties. The information obtained from this characterization study will be the preliminary step to determine the suitability of the waxes for fiber coating application. Applying soybean waxes in this manner increases the value of soybean waxes from being a source for candle making to being incorporated in manufacturing parts. Four wax samples were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, viscometry, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Vickers micro-hardness testing, compression, and flexural testing. One sample was chosen with the most suitable properties for polymer composites and 3D printing filaments were produced.