Direct ink writing is emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional 3D printing techniques, promising significant reductions in energy consumption. This thesis presents a comprehensive investigation into the optimization of DIW processes, focusing on the development and evaluation of various ink formulations to identify the strongest recipes for producing materials suitable forprototyping within a circular economy. A systematic methodology was devised to produce test samples both by casting and printing. For the
DIW samples, achieving a balance between the required ink volume and the output volume was crucialto ensure consistent printing. Iterative adjustments to the g-code parameters and air pressure weremade to fine-tune the printing process, resulting in the production of samples for mechanical testing. Three-point bending tests were conducted on both casted and printed samples to evaluate their mechanical properties. Stress-strain curves obtained from these tests were analysed to determine the flexural strength and overall mechanical performance of each ink formulation. Among the various recipes tested, Carob combined with alginate emerged as the strongest, demonstrating mechanical properties comparable to those reported in existing literature. Confirming its potential as a viable candidate for use in prototyping.
The findings of this research underscore the importance of optimising both material composition and production parameters in DIW processes. By successfully identifying and validating an ink formulation, this work contributes to the advancement of sustainable 3D printing technologies.