Utilization of composite wastes as a filler of polymer matrix in composites
Monika Rutecka, Mateusz Kozioł, Jerzy Myalski, Józef Śleziona Politechnika Śląska, Katedra Technologii Stopów Metali i Kompozytów, ul. Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice
Quarterly No. 2, 2005 pages 68-73
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abstract The purpose of this project was to estimate the possibility of using polyester-glass fiber recyclate as a filler of polymer matrix in composites. Using the recyclate as a filler would be also one of the way of polymer composites utilization. The composites wastes were grinded to size below 0.3 mm (Fig. 1). Recyclate obtained after grinding was a powder fraction and was a mixture of cured polyester resin particles, glass fibers and agglomerates of composites particles. The polyester-glass fiber recyclate was added to the resin, which was used as a matrix in laminates. Ten layers laminates (Fig. 2), consisted of epoxy resin EPIDIAN 51 and glass fabric, with addition of 4, 10 and 20 wt.% of recyclate were made. A ten layers laminate with no addition of recyclate was made as a comparable material (standard sample). The results of the mechanical properties of the laminates with the recyclate have been presented (Figs 4-6). The values of bending strength, flexural modulus, impact strength and shear strength for the laminates were evaluated and compared with analogical properties appointed for standard sample. The results of investigation have shown that using of polymer composites wastes as a filler, leads to decreasing of the measured properties in bending and impact tests. It has been shown that content of the recyclate has significant influence on studied mechanical properties. In addition, the tests have proved the dependence between content of the recyclate in laminates and values of bending strength, flexural modulus and impact strength, the more recyclate was added to the laminates the lower values of mechanical properties were achieved. It is noticeable that the shear strength has been at the same level for all specimens (Fig. 7). The optimal properties were achieved for the laminate with addition of 4 wt.% of recyclate, for which the decrease of mechanical properties do not exceed 5%. As can be observed the addition of composites wastes up to 10 wt.%, effects in decrease of mechanical properties during static and dynamic load only about 10%, which is an acceptable result. In conclusion, the results of the investigations allow to affirm, that the polymer composites waste of small granulation can be used as a filler in production of new composites, being also one of the way of duroplasts utilization. Key words: material recycling, polymer composites, polyester-glass fiber recyclate