INVESTIGATING PRINTABILITY AND MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF 3D PRINTED RECYCLED PET WITH PLA AND TPU HYBRID ADDITIVES

Abstract

This paper investigates the printability and mechanical performance of 3D printed recycled PET (rPET) filaments with the incorporation of PLA and TPU blend additives. The study focuses on evaluating the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the resulting hybrid blends. Tensile testing revealed that the neat rPET specimens exhibited average maximum tensile strength of 51.4 MPa and a tensile elasticity modulus of 3.63 GPa. The addition of PLA and TPU additives slightly reduced the tensile strength and modulus. Regarding flexural properties, the rPET specimens demonstrated an average maximum flexural stress of 43.4 MPa, indicating their ability to withstand bending forces without significant deformation. The addition of the hybrid PLA and TPU additives led to a slight reduction in flexural performance. However, the specimens still exhibited acceptable flexural strength and modulus. Furthermore, the impact test results showed a significant improvement in impact strength for the hybrid blend, with the TPU/PLA (rPET blend) exhibiting a remarkable increase (%187 and 36%) compared to the commercial and neat rPET specimens, respectively. These findings suggest that the hybrid combination of PLA and TPU additives contributes to the microstructural integrity and printability of 3D printed objects made from recycled PET filaments, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable manufacturing practices.