Open Access

REVIEW

3D Printing of Plant Fiber-Based Materials and Quality Evaluation of Their Products: A Review

Weili Liu¹, Fayi Hao¹, Jiangping Yuan^1,2,*

1 Department of Printing & Packaging, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China
2 School of Intelligent Emergency Management, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China

* Corresponding Author: Jiangping Yuan. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Next-Generation 3D Printing: Material Innovation and Computational Methodologies)

Computers, Materials & Continua 2025, 84(2), 1951-1979. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmc.2025.065836

Received 22 March 2025; Accepted 15 May 2025; Issue published 03 July 2025

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) and Three-dimensional (3D) printing build complex structures layer by layer, greatly expanding design possibilities. Traditional thermoplastics like Polylactic Acid (PLA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) are widely used in 3D printing, but their non-renewable nature and limited biodegradability have driven research into plant fiber-based materials. These materials, mainly cellulose and lignin, come from sources like wood and agricultural waste, offering renewability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. This paper reviews recent advances in plant fiber-based materials for 3D printing, covering their development from raw materials to applications. It highlights the sources, modification methods, and unique properties of cellulose and lignin in 3D printing, and examines processes like fused deposition modeling (FDM), direct ink writing (DIW), stereolithography (SLA), and digital light processing (DLP). The paper discusses key evaluation metrics, including mechanical properties, thermal stability, interlayer bonding strength, and biodegradability, and explores innovative applications in biomedicine (tissue engineering, wound healing), food (personalized nutrition), packaging (smart monitoring), and electronics and energy (flexible devices). Finally, it addresses challenges and future directions in material innovation, process optimization, and large-scale production, emphasizing the potential of interdisciplinary approaches and technology integration for sustainable manufacturing.

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Keywords

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