INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF PROCESS PARAMETERS ON THE FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF 3D PRINTED PLASTICS
Nikolai Beharry1*, Boppana V. Chowdary2
1,2Faculty of Engineering, The University of the West Indies, Trinidad
1Email: nikolai.beharry@my.uwi.edu*
2Email: boppana.chowdary@sta.uwi.edu
Abstract:
In this paper, the flexural strength of 90% Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (RPET), Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) and Polycarbonate (PC), are investigated with varying layer thickness, infill percentage and raster angle. Across each material, higher infill percentage resulted in higher flexural strength when loaded, whereas raster angle was the least significant. Using a Genetic Algorithm, the maximum flexural strength of each material was determined to be 48.57 MPa for RPET, 44.22 MPa for PETG and 101.54 MPa for the PC samples. Using these results, practical applications in local industries were investigated. The relatively high flexural strength of the RPET indicates great progress in material science towards creating a strong and sustainable 3D Printing filament. However, a cost-benefit analysis performed on the existing market value indicated that in its current state, the price per strength of RPET is heavily outmatched by PETG as a cheaper option and PC as a stronger option. If the process of creating filament from recycled plastics is refined, RPET filament will become cheaper and more desirable for manufacturing. This can lead to diversifying the local economy as a competitive and eco-friendly option to satisfy consumer needs.
Keywords: 3D Printing; Flexural Strength; Genetic Algorithm; Recycled Thermoplastic
https://doi.org/10.47412/FBTO9600
