Fabrication, Evaluation and Optimization of Tensile Characteristics of Waste Plastic Reinforced Polymer Composite


Authors : Sakthi Balan G,*Renold Elsen S, Rajesh P.V,

Volume/Issue : Volume 2 - 2017, Issue 6 - June

Google Scholar : https://goo.gl/PeZJe2

Scribd : https://goo.gl/LZY3a8

Thomson Reuters ResearcherID : https://goo.gl/3bkzwv

Abstract : The objective of this work is to investigate the Tensile properties of Non recyclable waste plastics particulate reinforced unsaturated polyester composite. Waste plastic particulates of particle sizes 1, 2, 3 mm were embedded into the unsaturated polyester resin to produce a composite. The specimens were made at 20, 30 and 40% weight percentages of the particulate filler in polyester matrix. Tensile tests were conducted on prepared samples of the composite material as per ASTM standards. Hand layup process was used for composite making. In this work the process parameters such as percentage composition of filler, percentage of catalyst addition (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) and particulate size were defined by Taguchi method. The influence of the process parameters on tensile properties of the composite was optimized and regression equation was also formed using ANOVA. For the optimization process, MINITAB 17 software is utilized. The results showed that the tensile strength of the composite with 30% waste plastic reinforcement, 1.2% catalyst addition and 1mm particulate size was maximum. The composite could be considered for applications in areas were a better tensile and light weight material is required. Also this can be a good solution for converting waste plastics into useful products without any toxic emissions which are the main sources of air pollution [1][6].

Keywords : Unsaturated polyester resin; Hand layup method; Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP); Taguchi method; Non recyclable waste plastics.

The objective of this work is to investigate the Tensile properties of Non recyclable waste plastics particulate reinforced unsaturated polyester composite. Waste plastic particulates of particle sizes 1, 2, 3 mm were embedded into the unsaturated polyester resin to produce a composite. The specimens were made at 20, 30 and 40% weight percentages of the particulate filler in polyester matrix. Tensile tests were conducted on prepared samples of the composite material as per ASTM standards. Hand layup process was used for composite making. In this work the process parameters such as percentage composition of filler, percentage of catalyst addition (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) and particulate size were defined by Taguchi method. The influence of the process parameters on tensile properties of the composite was optimized and regression equation was also formed using ANOVA. For the optimization process, MINITAB 17 software is utilized. The results showed that the tensile strength of the composite with 30% waste plastic reinforcement, 1.2% catalyst addition and 1mm particulate size was maximum. The composite could be considered for applications in areas were a better tensile and light weight material is required. Also this can be a good solution for converting waste plastics into useful products without any toxic emissions which are the main sources of air pollution [1][6].

Keywords : Unsaturated polyester resin; Hand layup method; Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP); Taguchi method; Non recyclable waste plastics.

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