Abstract

Biobased residues from agriculture and invasive plants can be used as cost-effective, sustainable alternative materials for additive manufacturing. This study investigates the feasibility of using Prosopis juliflora, an invasive and abundant species, as a feedstock for binder jetting and paste extrusion three-dimensional printing. Leaf, stem, and pod powders were characterized, and carboxymethyl cellulose was used as a binder in different formulations. Leaf and stem powders exhibited suitable powder properties, with stable powder-bed formation during binder jetting. In contrast, pods were sticky and tended to agglomerate, limiting their use in this process. Paste extrusion manufactured stable components for all fractions except at high binder ratios for pod-based materials. Mechanical testing showed maximum compressive strengths of 6.74 MPa, 10.17 MPa, and 4.64 MPa, and flexural strengths of 4.94 MPa, 13.45 MPa, and 9.44 MPa for leaf, stem, and pod samples, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential of Prosopis juliflora residues as sustainable materials for additive manufacturing applications.