Preparation of 3D Printing Filament from Face Mask Waste

Recycling of plastics is one method for reducing environmental impact and resource depletion. The only way to decrease the environmental problems caused by polymeric waste accumulation produced from day-to-day applications of polymer materials such those used in packaging and construction is by recycling. It reduces the quantity of residues in landfills. This study has been investigated the recycling of face masks waste during manufacturing. Face masks waste is identified as polypropylene (PP) through FTIR and DSC tests. The recycled polypropylene from waste mask was collected and converted into pellets. The pellets have been converted into filament using a filament extruder. Agarose gel has been added for improving the adhesive nature of PP. Hardness tests were performed for the PP and agarose gel blended PP samples through Rockwell hardness machine. Micro structure of both the materials were analyzed through Optical Microscope