Creating a robust composite material from waste plastic and steel for application in 3D printing

Abstract

This project investigates the future possibilities of additive manufacturing by creating a strong composite material from waste plastic and steel for 3D printing. The research uses polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and steel particles generated from industrial waste to optimize material characteristics for improved printability and structural integrity. Key objectives include determining feasibility, optimizing formulas, and assessing environmental sustainability. The findings promise to transform additive manufacturing by providing sustainable solutions while tackling global concerns such as plastic waste and material demand in a variety of sectors. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a popular additive manufacturing process for 3D printing. It works by layering thermoplastic filaments through a heated nozzle onto a build platform. The material is placed in a regulated manner and solidifies upon contact with the build surface or previously deposited layers. FDM printers use computer-aided design (CAD) files to precisely create three-dimensional objects with defined dimensions and geometries. FDM technique is regarded as versatile, cost-effective, and suitable for prototyping, producing functioning parts, and constructing complicated geometries. Rapid prototyping is one 3D printing application that uses Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). FDM enables the rapid and cost-effective creation of prototypes directly from CAD models, facilitating iterative design processes and shortening product development cycles in a variety of sectors.