Upcycling of HDPE waste using additive manufacturing: Feasibility and challenges

Edgar B. Mejia, Shafaa Al-Maqdi, Meera Alkaabi, Aysha Alhammadi, Mazna Alkaabi, Nizamudeen Cherupurakal, Abdel Hamid I. Mourad

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Plastic waste has been rapidly increasing in the past decades throughout the globe which creates a raising environmental concern. To manage this issue and prevent a nearby catastrophe, there had been a surfacing trend in utilizing plastic waste in additive manufacturing (3D printing). The focus of this paper is to upcycle High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is the second most commonly used plastic in the world. Several steps were done to transform the plastic waste into a filament for 3D printing. The working principle of achieving this was by manipulating the composition of the produced filament to match one of the more commonly used thermoplastics in 3D printing, Polylactic acid (PLA). This process was successfully executed by blending HDPE with low molecular weight Polypropylene (PP) and modified Polypropylene with Graft Maleic Anhydride (MAh) in a specified weight percentage (90%HDPE, 5% PP Mw-12, 000, 5% PP-MAh Mw-9, 100). Once a formula was obtained using virgin HDPE, we moved into utilizing plastic waste from shredded Laban bottles. Moreover, Tests like MFI, DSC, and tensile were performed to investigate the characteristics of the produced filaments and compare with commercially available alternatives.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2020 Advances in Science and Engineering Technology International Conferences, ASET 2020
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781728146409
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2020
Event2020 Advances in Science and Engineering Technology International Conferences, ASET 2020 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Duration: Feb 4 2020Apr 9 2020

Publication series

Name2020 Advances in Science and Engineering Technology International Conferences, ASET 2020

Conference

Conference2020 Advances in Science and Engineering Technology International Conferences, ASET 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
CityDubai
Period2/4/204/9/20

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • HDPE
  • Upcycling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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