Coupled Effects of Reprocessing, TiO2, and Fused Filament Fabrication on Polylactic Acid Weathering Durability: A Critical Review
5 affiliations
- 1Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
- 2Departamento de Ciencia de los Materiales, Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica, Centro Regional de Azuero, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
- 3Departamento de Ingeniería Electrónica y Telecomunicaciones, Facultad de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Centro Regional de Azuero, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
- 4Grupo de Investigación en Ingeniería, Tecnología y Sistemas Inteligentes Aplicados a la Sociedad (ITSIAS), Centro Regional de Azuero, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
- 5Centro de Estudios Multidisciplinarios en Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología (CEMCIT AIP), Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is incorporated into polylactic acid (PLA) to improve stiffness, promote crystallization, and provide ultraviolet (UV) shielding. However, its influence on durability is complex, as photocatalytic activity may accelerate degradation under environmental exposure. This review examines how TiO2 characteristics, melt processing history, fused filament fabrication (FFF) architecture, and exposure conditions collectively influence PLA durability. Primary studies and previous reviews are critically compared based on material formulation, processing conditions, specimen geometry, environmental exposure, and measured properties. Evidence indicates that reprocessing generally reduces molar mass and melt viscosity, while crystallization and printing conditions may partially preserve mechanical performance. TiO2 can enhance selected properties, although its effects depend on particle characteristics, dispersion, and surface accessibility. Furthermore, interlayer interfaces and connected porosity influence moisture transport and damage localization, limiting the applicability of findings from films and moulded specimens to FFF components. While existing reviews have addressed PLA–TiO2 composites and their properties, the combined influence of reprocessing, TiO2 incorporation, FFF architecture, and tropical weathering has received limited attention. Unlike previous reviews that primarily examine these factors separately, this review integrates their potential interactions to provide a processing-history-dependent perspective on PLA durability. It also identifies research priorities involving controlled processing comparisons, multiscale characterization, and complementary natural and accelerated weathering tests to support more reliable assessments of outdoor performance.
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BibTeX
@article{rodriguezpena2026coupled,
title = {{Coupled Effects of Reprocessing, TiO2, and Fused Filament Fabrication on Polylactic Acid Weathering Durability: A Critical Review}},
author = {Thomas Rodríguez-Peña and Edwin Collado and Yessica Saez and Nacari Marin-Calvo},
journal = {Polymers},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/polym18212795},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/21/2795},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Coupled Effects of Reprocessing, TiO2, and Fused Filament Fabrication on Polylactic Acid Weathering Durability: A Critical Review
AU - Thomas Rodríguez-Peña
AU - Edwin Collado
AU - Yessica Saez
AU - Nacari Marin-Calvo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/08
JO - Polymers
DO - 10.3390/polym18212795
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/21/2795
AB - Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is incorporated into polylactic acid (PLA) to improve stiffness, promote crystallization, and provide ultraviolet (UV) shielding. However, its influence on durability is complex, as photocatalytic activity may accelerate degradation under environmental exposure. This review examines how TiO2 characteristics, melt processing history, fused filament fabrication (FFF) architecture, and exposure conditions collectively influence PLA durability. Primary studies and previous reviews are critically compared based on material formulation, processing conditions, specimen geometry, environmental exposure, and measured properties. Evidence indicates that reprocessing generally reduces molar mass and melt viscosity, while crystallization and printing conditions may partially preserve mechanical performance. TiO2 can enhance selected properties, although its effects depend on particle characteristics, dispersion, and surface accessibility. Furthermore, interlayer interfaces and connected porosity influence moisture transport and damage localization, limiting the applicability of findings from films and moulded specimens to FFF components. While existing reviews have addressed PLA–TiO2 composites and their properties, the combined influence of reprocessing, TiO2 incorporation, FFF architecture, and tropical weathering has received limited attention. Unlike previous reviews that primarily examine these factors separately, this review integrates their potential interactions to provide a processing-history-dependent perspective on PLA durability. It also identifies research priorities involving controlled processing comparisons, multiscale characterization, and complementary natural and accelerated weathering tests to support more reliable assessments of outdoor performance.
SN - 2073-4360
ER -