Recycled PLA for 3D Printing: A Comparison of Recycled PLA Filaments from Waste of Different Origins after Repeated Cycles of Extrusion

Abstract

The objective of this work is to evaluate the reprocessing of PLA 3D printing waste from different origins, into filaments and films, and without the addition of any additive. Two types of waste were considered: a blend of different printing wastes (masks, visors, other components) of personal protective equipment coming from an association of Spanish coronamakers, and PLA waste from a single known commercial source. Both types of materials were subjected to repeated extrusion cycles and processed into films by compression molding. Samples were characterized after each cycle and their mechanical and viscosity properties evaluated. Diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) experiments were also carried out to estimate molecular weights. The results show a better performance for the PLA waste from the known origin, capable of withstanding up to three re-extrusion cycles per two for the waste blending, without significant degradation. Additionally, a model to address collection and mechanical recycling cycles under two different scenarios (full traceability and not full traceability) was proposed.