Fabrication and Properties of Recycled PET Reinforced Waste Cellulosic Fiber Composites

Haydar Zaman; Ruhul A. Khan

Abstract

The economic utilization of lignocellulose waste, which is now being explored, is one of the environmental problems confronting third-world nations. Waste cellulosic fiber (paper sludge, PS) composites will enable the cost of the composite to be reduced while allowing for the efficient use of a waste material that is presently burned or buried. Environmentally friendly composites made from PSreinforced recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET) matrix with the addition of SEBS-g-MA as a compatibilizer are discussed in terms of their mechanical and thermal properties in this work. The effects of SEBS-g-MA addition and different PS content (10, 20, and 30 wt%) on the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the rPET/PS eco-friendly composites were examined using a twin-screw extruder. Composites have significantly improved stiffness as compared to rPET/SEBS-g-MA blend. The inclusion of SEBS-g-MA significantly improved the impact strength of rPET. The compatibilizer's rubbery characteristics cause the blend's lower tensile and flexural capabilities. The tensile and flexural moduli improved with increased PS. With a loading of 10% PS, the maximum values for the tensile and flexural strengths were noted. The nonisothermal crystallization results demonstrated that the temperature of onset crystallization and degree of crystallinity increased for the PS-reinforced composites. When PS was added, studies employing thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the composites' thermal stability increased, with the principal decomposition temperature hovering around 350°C