New Filaments from Used Disposable Face Masks as an Alternative 3D Printing Filament in the 3D Printing Industry

Abstract

This study aimed to examine an innovative approach for recycling and repurposing used disposable face masks to create a new 3D printing filament and to compare the mechanical properties of the developed 3D printing filament (DF) with recycled filament (RF) and commercial filament (CF). The development of the new 3D printing filaments involved examining three key pieces of information: (1) optimal melting point ranges, (2) weight, and (3) visual colors for each layer of the face mask. Using an experimental research design, the researchers melted-down disposable face masks to create the filament and analyzed its properties in comparison with RF and CF. No significant differences were identified in terms of strength among CF, RF, and DF types. The findings highlight the potential effectiveness of using disposable face masks as an alternative 3D printing material, contributing to the design and production in the 3D printing industry.