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Low-Cost Open-Source Melt Flow Index System for Distributed Recycling and Additive Manufacturing
Dawei Liu1, Aditi Basdeo2,3, Catalina Suescun Gonzalez4,5
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 17, 2024
Summary
This study developed an open-source melt flow index tool to quickly assess recycled plastic flowability for 3D printing. This innovation supports the use of waste materials in additive manufacturing.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Sustainable Manufacturing
Background:
- Distributed recycling via additive manufacturing (DRAM) enables waste material revalorization.
- Recycled polymers often suffer property degradation (e.g., rheological) due to impurities and mixed compositions, limiting their use in 3D printing.
- Rapid assessment of recycled material flowability is crucial for their successful application in additive manufacturing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, develop, and manufacture an open-source melt flow index (MFI) apparatus.
- To provide a cost-effective and user-friendly tool for evaluating the flow properties of recycled materials.
- To facilitate the increased viability of waste streams for additive manufacturing.
Main Methods:
- Design and fabrication of an open-source melt flow index apparatus.
- Validation of the apparatus using virgin polylactic acid (PLA) pellets.
- Testing with shredded recycled poly(ethylene) terephthalate glycol (PETG) flakes and HDPE/PET blends.
Main Results:
- Successful development and manufacturing of the open-source MFI apparatus.
- Demonstrated validation across diverse polymer types including virgin PLA, recycled PETG, and HDPE/PET blends.
- Confirmation of the tool's capability to assess material flowability for recyclability.
Conclusions:
- The developed open-source MFI apparatus provides a practical solution for assessing recycled material flow properties.
- This tool enhances the usability of waste-derived polymers in additive manufacturing.
- It supports sustainable practices by promoting the revalorization of materials through 3D printing.
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