Thermomechanical recyclability of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) for cyclic economy-driven MEX additive manufacturing

The extensive utilization of materials in daily life can result in environmental pollution, resource depletion, and numerous other consequences. One approach to mitigate these issues could be adopting recycling techniques for high-consumption materials. In this investigation, Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile (ASA) was selected for examination under six successive recycling cycles to assess its performance and suitability for material extrusion (MEX) 3D printing. This material was used for filament fabrication and three-dimensional (3D) specimen printing. Thermomechanical processes are expected to influence the behavior of the ASA samples. Furthermore, mechanical, thermal, and rheological tests were conducted, and the morphology and structure of the parts were investigated. The mechanical properties of the filaments were also assessed. Morphological and structural analyses were performed by micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. The second recycling cycle samples were notable for their performance relative to the first cycle (20% higher tensile strength), whereas all five cycles demonstrated higher strength than the first cycle. These results indicate the promising potential of using recycled ASA in applications for various purposes.