Low-Cost Open-Source Melt Flow Index System for Distributed Recycling and Additive Manufacturing

被引：0

作者：

Liu, Dawei ^{[1
]}

Basdeo, Aditi ^{[2
,3
]}

Gonzalez, Catalina Suescun ^{[4
,5
]}

Romani, Alessia ^{[1
]}

Boudaoud, Hakim ^{[4
]}

Nouvel, Cecile ^{[5
]}

Sanchez, Fabio A. Cruz ^{[4
]}

Pearce, Joshua M. ^{[1
,3
]}

机构：

[1] Western Univ, Dept Elect & Comp Engn, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada

[2] Western Univ, Dept Chem & Biochem Engn, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada

[3] Western Univ, Ivey Business Sch, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada

[4] Univ Lorraine, Equipe Rech Proc Innovat EPRI, F-54000 Nancy, France

[5] Univ Lorraine, CNRS, Lab React & Genie Procedes LRGP, F-54000 Nancy, France

来源：

MATERIALS | 2024年 / 17卷 / 23期

关键词：

material extrusion; material properties; melt flow index; open hardware; polymers; recycling; rheology; thermal properties; HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE; PLASTICS; DESIGN; VIRGIN; REPRAP; PLA;

D O I：

10.3390/ma17235966

中图分类号：

O64 [物理化学（理论化学）、化学物理学];

学科分类号：

070304 ; 081704 ;

摘要：

The increasing adoption of distributed recycling via additive manufacturing (DRAM) has facilitated the revalorization of materials derived from waste streams for additive manufacturing. Recycled materials frequently contain impurities and mixed polymers, which can degrade their properties over multiple cycles. This degradation, particularly in rheological properties, limits their applicability in 3D printing. Consequently, there is a critical need for a tool that enables the rapid assessment of the flowability of these recycled materials. This study presents the design, development, and manufacturing of an open-source melt flow index (MFI) apparatus. The open-source MFI was validated with tests on virgin polylactic acid pellets, shredded recycled poly(ethylene) terephthalate glycol flakes, and high-density polyethylene/poly(ethylene) terephthalate blends to demonstrate the range of polymer types and recyclability. The proposed MFI tool offers a user-friendly and cost-effective solution for evaluating the flow properties of materials from waste streams, thereby enhancing their viability for additive manufacturing applications.

引用

页数：38