Experimental investigations for use of nylon6 industrial waste as FDM feedstock filament for investment casting applications

The present research work highlights a new route for the development of alternative cost-effective feedstock filament of fused deposition modelling (1-DM) by using waste nylon6. Nylon6 based industrial waste has been collected from local sources and recycled, after reinforcing with Al and Al2O3, through single screw extruder. Melt flow index (MFI), as per ASTM-D01238 standard, of various proportions of nylon6, Al and Al2O3 has tested in order to establish the required filament proportion. The alternative FDM filament was used in existing FDM system and patterns are developed for investment casting (IC) process. The tribological and microstructure analysis conducted on the resulting castings highlighted the presence of Al2O3 particles. The present methodology is novel and could be used for the development of functionally graded material with tailor made properties.