Development and Characterization of a Composite Material Reinforced by Plastic Waste: Application in the Construction Sector

Abstract

Waste reuse is subject to an increasing amount of research aimed at reducing the negative impact of such material on the environment. This study explores the possibility of using plastic waste as reinforcement in composite materials. A family of materials was developed using an unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) organic matrix and various mineral fillers (marble powder, expanded perlite, sand, etc.), potentially allowing their use in wall and floor coverings and as raw materials in the manufacture of traditional ceramic tables. Selected mechanical properties of these materials were verified, including flexural strength, tensile strength, and density. The results demonstrate the role of reinforcement in oriented fibers or matt fabric in improving the mechanical properties of the materials. Flexural strength is improved via reinforcement in the form of random or woven plastic fibers (32.44 MPa). However, the use of expanded perlite as a filler results in a lower mechanical strength (31.16 MPa) than marble powder or sand because of its friability.

Modeling effective elastic and thermal conductivity of composite materials reinforced with plastic waste: Analytical and numerical approaches

“…Crushed plastic waste in different formsimpregnated particles, oriented and random fibrous, and woven reinforcementserved as base materials for reinforcement. [38] The material preparation was conducted at room temperature and followed a specific procedure: The prepared mixture was poured into an open mold to acquire the desired shape, after which the mold was sealed and the material compressed until it had fully hardened. In addition, the Figure 2 depicts the production procedure of the composite materials.…”

Plastic waste associated with the COVID-19 pandemic: Crisis or opportunity?

“…The production of plastic materials has consecutively increased for many decades since the 1950s ( Curlee, 1986 ) due to the demand from the increasing human population. Based on federation of plastic producers “Plastics Europe”, approximately 311 million tons of long-duration degradability (200–1000 years) plastic were generated all around the world in 2014, compared with 299 million tons in 2013 ( Halimi et al, 2017 ). Based on industry data, USA, Europe, and Asia account for 85% of plastic production, the amount of plastics production is estimated to double up in the next 20 years to 600 million tonne ( Kumar, 2018 ).…”

COVID‐19: An Accelerator for Global Plastic Consumption and Its Implications

“…Since the 1950s, plastics manufacturing has been steadily growing due to an evergrowing human population [27]. According to the Plastics Europe Federation, more than 311 million tonnes of longterm degradability plastic were produced in 2014, up from 299 million tonnes in 2013 [28]. 85% of plastic is produced in the United States, Europe, and Asia, according to estimates.…”