Composite partition sheets were prepared by vacuum infusion process using noncombustible glass fiber and waste nylon along with polyester matrix. The waste nylon materials obtained in the form of discarded fishing nets were reinforced in sheets with T90° orientation. They were then coated using two types of fumed silica nanopowders mixed in polyester resin. Two types of coated and corresponding bare hybrid composite samples were examined for their various properties. Appreciable values for mechanical properties were obtained for all the hybrid sheets which are more pronounced for the nanocoated sheets. Furthermore, horizontal flammability tests proved that the fumed silica-coated sheets have better flame-retardant characteristics. With constant heat flux of 50 W/m2, the specimens were investigated for the peak heat release rate (HRR) and fire reaction properties like total oxygen consumed, average specific mass loss rate, total smoke release, and average HRR which gave good results for the nanocoated sheets. Moreover, water-absorbing properties of the hybrid sheets were generally less and it was better in the case of hydrophobic fumed silica-coated samples. These low cost and less weight composite sheets were successfully developed and the results obtained were encouraging, which can be used as partition sheets in the construction of affordable buildings.

This paper involves the utilization of waste fishing nets as one of the reinforcements in the manufacturing of fumed silica coated composite partition sheets. Hybrid Fishing Net Reinforced Plastic (HFNRP) composite sheets developed by sandwiching various layers of used fishing net between the two glass fiber layers and in-situ coated with the AEROSIL®200 nano powder, were tested for mechanical properties. Appreciable values for mechanical properties were seen for all the HFNRP sheets; more pronounced when the number of fishing net layers was increased. On the contrary, the light transmission through the sheets decreases. The nylon content of the fishing nets in the sheets increased the linear thermal expansion with highest value of 2.01 inches/100 feet (0.168%). Moreover, water absorbing properties of the coated HFNRP sheets revealed to be moisture resistant due to the coating of polyester/nano powder resin mixture. Thermogravimetric Analysis and Differential Thermal Analysis revealed the mass change and phase change for the various manufactured specimens. The wear analysis with the pin on disk experiment revealed the wear resistance through the allied action of the flexible fishing net nylon and the friction resistant nano coating over the specimens. These, low cost and less weight composite sheets were successfully developed and implemented as the partition sheets for affordable buildings and fishing nets were efficiently reused.