Applied Chemical Engineering

Innovative surface engineering of sustainable polymers: Toward green and high-performance materials

Subramani Raja

Center for Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation, Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamilnadu, 600069, India

Maher Ali Rusho

Lockheed Martin Engineering Management, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80308, United States

K Ch Sekhar

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lendi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, 535005,India

Kassa Suresh Kumar

Department of Chemistry, Aditya Degree College, Kakinada, 533005, India

K. Alagarraja

Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Price Shri Bhavani College of Engineering and Technology,Tamil Nadu,600073,India

Avvaru Praveen Kumar

Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied Natural Science, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama,1888, Ethiopia Department of Chemistry, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradum, Uttarakhand, 248002, India

S. Karthikeyan

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Erode Sengunthar Engineering College, Erode, Tamilnadu,638057, India

Pawan Devidas Meshram

Department of Oil Technology, University Institute of Chemical Technology, Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, 425001, India

N. Saravanan

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Erode Sengunthar Engineering College, Erode, Tamilnadu,638057, India.

Nagabhooshanam

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya University, Surampalem,533003, India Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering and Technology, GLA University Mathura 281406, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v7i3.5530

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Abstract

The development of sustainable polymers is critical to the progression of greener manufacturing processes, especially for the additive manufacturing technologies of fused deposition modeling (FDM). The study aims to explore potential application surface engineering techniques that enhance the performance of these sustainable polymers within the context of FDM. Various surface modification methods, such as plasma treatment, chemical etching, and UV irradiation, were utilized on biodegradable and recycled polymers, with the treatment process conducted under controlled conditions. Mechanical testing was done using a Tinius Olsen universal testing machine, with surface morphology analyzed through scanning electron microscopy. The outcome indicated that the tensile strength of polylactic acid improved by 15% with plasma treatment, while the thermal stability of recycled polyethylene terephthalate improved by 12% with chemical etching. Surface engineering developments on various techniques will be reviewed, particularly in optimizing them within FDM processes for different types of polymers. Different surface modifications will be compared here, analyzing aspects such as adhesion, endurance, and more overall performance. This comparison provides a fundamental outlook into the relationship between surface treatment and polymer performance, paving the way for optimization of FDM processes in sustaining material applications. These findings serve as further guidance toward making additive manufacturing much more sustainable and efficient through advanced surface engineering. The numerical improvement of material properties observed in the study will aid in further endeavors towards achieving sustainability and efficiency in additive manufacturing.

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