This publication gives a baseline of commonly used materials for additive manufacturing such as carbon fiber – acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (CF-ABS) and wood flour – amorphous poly lactic acid (WF-aPLA). The article is to be used in comparison with current recycling cycles and has intended applications as formwork for precast concrete. This is important because additive manufacturing (3D Printing) has the potential to produce much less waste than other forms of manufacturing, therefore, it is important to make sure the materials used are as recyclable, and sustainable as possible.
Recycling Large-Scale 3D Printed Polymer Composite Precast Concrete Forms
Katie M. Schweizer, Sunil Bhandari, Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, and Lu Wang
The International Conference on FRP Composites in Civil Engineering (CICE 2023) (2023)
Large-scale thermoplastic extrusion-based 3D printing, also referred to as additive manufacturing (AM), has shown promise for a multitude of applications in civil infrastructure. Advancements in this technology have led to increased usage and a subsequent increase in generated waste. Recently, the opportunity to recycle this material has contributed to lessening this waste. Presented in this work are established baseline thermo-mechanical and physical properties of carbon fiber – acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (CF-ABS) and wood flour – amorphous poly lactic acid (WF-aPLA). Additionally, this work is to be used in comparison with subsequent recycling cycles in evaluation of the mechanical recycling process for large-scale 3D printed CF-ABS and WF-aPLA with intended applications as formwork for precast concrete.
Advanced Structures & Composites Center