5. Conclusion

A detailed analysis of the key steps in the fused filament fabrication (FFF) additive manufacturing process and the determination of its material specifications led to the identification of a natural biopolymer, zein—a byproduct of corn starch production—as a suitable candidate for 3D printing. The use of this protein has been shown to be feasible via FDM, however, its structural evolution—particularly due to the thermal aggregation it may undergo—requires the precise definition of its workability window and the adaptation of its melt deposition conditions.

When plasticized by adding 20% by weight of glycerol, the thermomechanical properties of zein are similar to those of standard synthetic polymers in FA-DFF, with lower molding temperatures, on the order of 130 °C. The storage modulus at room temperature,