Development of recyclable metal-infused feedstock for low-cost 3D printing in the context of circular manufacturing

As the circular economy and circular manufacturing approaches are strongly focusing on reuse, repair, remanufacturing and recycling, it is very important to investigate new materials for fabrication of metal/polymer filaments for low-cost 3D printing. In this project recyclable metal-infused feedstocks with high concentration of metal powder (up to 60 vol.%) for filament fabrication will be developed. For this environmentally friendly extracted carbonyl nickel and iron powders will be used. Metal/polymer filament fabrication will be done by simple melting process using one screw extruder. Prior the extrusion two pre-mix approaches will be used for better particle dispersion inside the polymer matrix. The recyclable polymers in powder form and bio-based polymers will be tested as potential matrixes for metal/polymer filament fabrication. Recyclable polymers in powder form are good chose due to simple pre-mis procedure which include just physical mixing of polymer powder with metal powder without using any intermediate steps with uses/extraction of solvent.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lucas Hof;Eric David;Nicole Demarquette

Student:

Partner:

VPM Research Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

École de technologie supérieure

Program: