Additive manufacturing of polyethylene-based composites sourced from industrial waste

This study utilizes Additive Manufacturing (AM), as a key enabler, in creating Polyethylene (PE)-based composites from industrial waste. The benefits of this study are: firstly, promoting environmental sustainability by successfully fabricating composites by repurposing industrial waste and increasing the capacity of PE recycling through AM; and secondly, developing high-value PE-based composites with enhanced structural, mechanical and rheological properties. Detailed printability assessment of various blend ratios of waste PE, Polystyrene, and fiber reinforced resin are discussed and successful printing of PE-based composites with tangible improvements in material properties is demonstrated. The agility of the proposed approach is also highlighted.