Abstract:
The current high production of plastics has prompted the exploration of alternative pathways to facilitate recycling, aiming for a progressively sustainable society. This paper presents an alternative and affordable technology for treating waste expanded polystyrene (EPS) mixed with acetone in a 100:1 volume ratio to be used as 3D printing ink for Direct Ink Write technology. In order to optimize the printing parameters, a comprehensive study was conducted, evaluating different needle diameters, printing speeds, and bed temperature values to achieve homogenous pieces and a highly repeatable 3D printing process. Results showed that the main optimum printing parameters were using needles with diameters of 14 to 16 G and printing speeds ranging from 2 to 12 mm/s, which were found to yield the most uniform ribbons. Increasing the bed temperature, despite favoring acetone evaporation, led to the generation of more heterogeneous structures due to void growth inside the printed ribbons. Thus, employing room temperature for the bed proved to be the optimal value. Lastly, a comparative study between the starting material and the EPS after the printing process was conducted using FTIR-ATR and GPC analyses, ensuring the preservation of the original polymer\'s integrity during physical recycling.
摘要:
目前塑料的高产量促使人们探索促进回收的替代途径,一个可持续发展的社会。本文介绍了一种替代且负担得起的技术,用于处理与丙酮以100:1的体积比混合的废发泡聚苯乙烯(EPS),以用作直接墨水书写技术的3D打印墨水。为了优化打印参数,进行了全面的研究,评估不同的针头直径,打印速度,和床温度值,以实现均匀的零件和高度可重复的3D打印过程。结果表明,主要的最佳印刷参数是使用直径为14至16G的针,印刷速度范围为2至12mm/s,发现产生最均匀的色带。提高床层温度,尽管有利于丙酮蒸发,由于印刷色带内的空隙生长,导致产生更多的异质结构。因此,床采用室温被证明是最佳值。最后,使用FTIR-ATR和GPC分析进行了印刷过程后起始材料和EPS之间的比较研究,确保在物理回收过程中保持原始聚合物的完整性。