SABIC and Local Motors conduct feasibility study of recycling scrap thermoplastic parts and shavings from 3D printing process
SABIC completed a joint study on the feasibility of recycling scrap thermoplastic parts and shavings from the 3D printing process.
(firmenpresse) - With the desire to improve the circularity of large format additive manufacturing (LFAM), SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, and Local Motors, a next-generation vehicle manufacturer, completed a joint study on the feasibility of recycling scrap thermoplastic parts and shavings from the 3D printing process. The study explored more sustainable alternatives to landfilling large, printed parts in anticipation of wider adoption of LFAM. It included analyzing the printability and mechanical properties of SABICrusion, at amounts up to 100 percent. These insights can help identify a feasible path to circularity and an extended lifecycle for materials used by the LFAM industry.
Challenges of Reusing Large, Printed Parts
Currently, no established value chain exists for reclaiming post-production LFAM parts and scrap. This complex sequence of steps includes managing the logistics of locating, collecting and transporting large parts to a facility capable of cleaning, cutting, regrinding and repurposing the material.
Another challenge of reusing LFAM materials is potential degradation from multiple heat cycles (grinding, re-pelletizing, re-compounding, etc.). Each step adds to the cumulative heat history, which tends to break down the polymer chains and reduce fiber length and can affect performance. These factors should be considered when identifying opportunities for material reuse.
Study Method and Results
The SABIC-Local Motors study included evaluations for printability, throughput and mechanical properties. In order to assess printability, six material samples of LNP THERMOCOMP AM compound were prepared, containing 0, 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent reprocessed content, respectively. These samples were monitored for changes in throughput and melt flow rate on SABICon. All the samples printed well, with a smooth, shiny surface and straight, even layers that demonstrated no issues with material flow.
For the mechanical properties evaluation, specimens were cut from each hexagonal printed part. These were tested for tensile properties using Test Method D638 as a guideline, and for flexural modulus using a three-point bend test following a modified ASTM D-790 test method. Results showed excellent tensile properties in the part samples containing smaller percentages of regrind and only incremental declines in the samples that included larger percentages of regrind. The 100 percent regrind sample experienced just a 20 percent reduction in tensile properties in the X direction and a 15 percent reduction in the Z direction. For flexural properties, the same gradual trend occurred, with flexural modulus declining by just 14 percent in the X direction and 12 percent in the Z direction for the sample containing 100 percent regrind.
As expected, tensile and flexural testing showed decreasing mechanical strength as the percentage of regrind increased. This finding is typical of regrind used in other processes such as injection molding and extrusion.
Looking Ahead
This study highlights the reusability of post-industrial LFAM shavings and parts. Both post-industrial and post-consumer scrap materials offer potential for reuse; however, existing gaps in the recycling value chain need to be filled before this process can be viable. A large collective effort by the LFAM community, including resin manufacturers, converters, 3D printers and recyclers, is needed to devise an economical method of collecting scrap and converting it to a reusable form.
Conducting this study with Local Motors and presenting these results are SABICility, a lower carbon footprint and circularity.
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Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
SABIC is a global diversified chemicals company, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, making distinctly different kinds of products: chemicals, commodity and high performance plastics, agri-nutrients and metals.
SABIC supports its customers by identifying and developing opportunities in key end-use applications such as construction, medical devices, packaging, agri-nutrients, electrical and electronics, transportation and clean energy. Production in 2020 was 60.8 million metric tons.
The company has more than 32,000 employees worldwide and operates in around 50 countries. Fostering innovation and a spirit of ingenuity, SABIC has 9,946 global patent filings, and has significant research resources with innovation hubs in five key geographies – USA, Europe, Middle East, South Asia and North Asia.
ABOUT LOCAL MOTORS
Local Motors designs, manufactures, and deploys next-generation vehicles. Founded in 2007 with a belief in open collaboration, Local Motors began low-volume vehicle manufacturing of open-source designs utilizing a microfactory model. Since its inception, Local Motors has debuted no less than three world firsts; the world’s first co-created vehicle, the world’s first 3D-printed car, and the world’s first co-created, autonomous, electric vehicle, Olli. We believe that Olli is the answer to a safe, sustainable, and accessible mobility solution for all. Learn more - localmotors.com
Datum: 08.06.2021 - 10:20 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 1567944
Anzahl Zeichen: 3560
contact information:
Contact person: Kevin Noels
Town:
Kapellen
Phone: 0032 3 31 30 311
Kategorie:
Chemical industry
Typ of Press Release: Product
type of sending: send
Date of sending: 08.06.2021
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