Fabrication of 3D printing filament utilising recycled PET (rPET) and rPET - PETG blends from marine sources

• Main Author: Lim, Boon Ping
• Other Authors: Hu Xiao
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Engineering::Materials::Ecomaterials
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/147665
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Plastic, due to its unique advantages compared to other materials, has brought about varied uses across a plethora of industries globally. However, as waste disposal of rubbish (and plastic) is not properly regulated in numerous countries, many of which end up in sewers and rivers across the globe. As the water bodies are connected, the waste gets carried downstream and they eventually end up in the seas as marine waste. Several of the major polluters hail from across Asia, where due to their geographical location, their waste discharge comes close to the Pacific Ocean. These interactions of ocean currents carry waste which eventually forms the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is still increasing by size yearly. Plastic and its derivatives virgin polymers) are important materials for 3D printing process. In recent years, 3D printing has gained immense popularity due to widespread technology advancement which allows 3D printing to be more accessible due to a lowering of price of 3D machineries. With more consumers recognising the benefits and ease of convenience that 3D printing brings, the increase in popularity in 3D printing has led to an increase in demand for raw material (polymer filament) required during the process. This paper explores the possibility of creating 3D printing filament from using recycling marine waste plastic collected from Singapore’s shorelines, effectively giving the plastic a second life.