Assessing the use of binary blends of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and post-consumer high density polyethylene in fused filament fabrication

Several experiments were conducted to assess the suitability of binary blends of recycled high-density polyethylene and virgin acrylonitrile butadiene styrene for use in fused filament fabrication. Binary blends of the two plastics were extruded into feedstock for a 3D printer in varying proportions. Filament extrusion consistency, dimensional accuracy of 3D printed benchmarking objects, and tensile strength were each assessed. When compared against commercial acrylonitrile butadiene styrene filament, binary blends of recycled high-density polyethylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene were found to have inferior filament extrusion consistency and tensile strength. They also produced less accurate benchmarking objects. Despite this, binary blends were shown to produce objects with dimensional accuracy and tensile strength that would render them suitable for many applications.