ABSTRACT
In the last two decades there has been seen a massive increase in the use of polymer material at various levels, thus, producing polymer waste. The disposal of polymeric waste has become one of the major problems in today’s scenario. In this chapter, a novel method for preparation of metal matrix composites (MMC) by using fused deposition modelling (FDM) assisted investment casting (IC) of thermoplastic materials in the form of waste polymer by reinforcing ceramic/metallic particles, has been discussed. In this study, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) have been selected as matrix material and SiC and Al2O3, as reinforcements. A definite proportion of reinforcements and the matrix material was blended together and processed on a twin screw extruder followed by the processing on the single screw extruder for preparation of 3D printer filament wire to prepare the parts of specified dimensions. For both, 3D printer setting and blending proportions, a mixture module of design expert software has been used and a mathematical model for the same has been discussed for better understanding. In this chapter, the process has been discussed in sequential manner to maintain the flow of the study and very interesting follow-ups have been put up to have greater understanding for the use of additive manufacturing with waste thermoplastic.
