| Title |
Recycled polycarbonate and polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene feedstocks for circular economy product applications with fused granular fabrication-based additive manufacturing |
| ID_Doc |
5201 |
| Authors |
Romani, A; Levi, M; Pearce, JM |
| Title |
Recycled polycarbonate and polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene feedstocks for circular economy product applications with fused granular fabrication-based additive manufacturing |
| Year |
2023 |
| Published |
|
| DOI |
10.1016/j.susmat.2023.e00730 |
| Abstract |
Distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) holds enormous promise for enabling a circular economy. Most DRAM studies have focused on single thermoplastic waste stream. This study takes three paths forward from the previous literature: 1) expanding DRAM into high-performance polycarbonate/ acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) blends, 2) extending PC/ABS blend research into both recycled materials and into direct fused granular fabrication (FGF) 3-D printing and 3) demonstrating the potential of using recycled PC/ABS feedstocks for new applications in circular economy contexts. A commercial open source large-format FGF 3-D printer was modified and used to assess the different printability and accuracy of recycled PC and PC/ABS. The mechanical properties (tensile and impact) following the ASTM D638 and D6110-18 standards were quantified. A weather simulation test (ASTM D5071-06) was performed to assess outdoor performance. Finally, two applications in sporting goods and furniture were demonstrated. In general, better printability was achieved with recycled PC/ABS compared to recycled PC, as well as good dimensional accuracy at printing speeds of 30 and 40 mm/s. Minimal qualitative differences and discoloration were visible on the samples after accelerated weather exposure, with results in accordance with the state-of-the-art. The rPC/ABS results from tensile tests show similar values to those of rPC for elastic modulus (2.1 +/- 0.1 GPa), tensile strength (41.6 +/- 6.3 MPA), and elongation at break (2.8 +/- 0.9%), which are also comparable with previous studied virgin 3-D printed filaments. Similarly, impact energy (115.78 +/- 24.40 kJ/m2) and resistance values (810.36 +/- 165.77 J/m) are comparable in the two tested formulations, reaching similar results compared to FFF 3-D printed filaments, as well as virgin materials for injection molding. Finally, the two demonstration products in the sporting goods and furniture sectors were successfully fabricated with rPC/ABS, achieving complex patterns and good printing speeds for recycled feedstocks. It is concluded rPC/ABS blends represent a potential high-performance feedstock for DRAM, validating its use in direct FGF 3-D printing systems and potential applications for a circular economy. |
| Author Keywords |
3-D printing; Recycling; Fused filament fabrication (FFF); Fused granular fabrication (FGF); Distributed recycling for additive; manufacturing (DRAM); Mechanical properties |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) |
| EID |
WOS:001089045100001 |
| WoS Category |
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Energy & Fuels; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary |
| Research Area |
Science & Technology - Other Topics; Energy & Fuels; Materials Science |
| PDF |
https://re.public.polimi.it/bitstream/11311/1251860/2/Recycled_polycarbonate_and_polycarbonaRe.pdf
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