Development of a Net Zero Route for the Circular Production of Additive Manufacturing Powders
Affiliation: Cardiff University, GB
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Affiliation: Cardiff University, GB
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Affiliation: Cardiff University, GB
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Affiliation: Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai, IN
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Affiliation: Cardiff University, GB
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Chapter from the book: Spezi E. & Bray M. 2024. Proceedings of the Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023.
The research centres on the development of a Net Zero route for the sustainable production of metal additive manufacturing (AM) powders. In particular, the study involves recycling of waste machining chips to produce usable AM powders via solid-state crushing/ball milling (BM) at room temperature. Experimental work deals with the conversion of AA5083-H111 aluminium chips into powders using BM, followed by powder characterisation. It is observed that the particle size distribution and the powder morphology are influenced by the chip’s length scale and BM parameters (such as ball-to powder ratio, ball diameter, milling speed and time). Finally, a framework of a novel circular hybrid manufacturing process chain to fabricate high value AM parts from the produced powders is proposed.