Mechanical and Thermal Properties Analysis of Polypropylene Reinforced with Polyamide Microfibre Obtained from Shredded Tyres

Abstract

SUMMARYThe importance of recovering waste materials generated by industrialised societies is mainly due to the environmental impact that they have, and one of the principal problems is the presence of end of life tyres. The use of waste microfibre obtained from shredded tyres as reinforcement in polypropylene matrices offers an interesting opportunity for recycling of the waste microfibre, in order to obtain 'value added products' from polypropylene (PP)/waste microfibre tyre composites. The microfibres obtained from shredded tyres were used as a reinforcing material in compositions with polypropylene (PP). The blending proportions were: (1) 10% microfibre 90% PP; (2) 20% microfibre, 80% PP; (3) 30% microfibre, 70% PP; (4) 40% microfibre, 60% PP, (5) 50% microfibre, 50% PP and (6) 80% microfibre, 20% PP. The mechanical and thermal properties were analyzed. In this case polypropylene mixed with polyamide (PA) microfibres show a decrease in tensile strength and elongation at break, however, impact strength and Vicat Softening temperature values increase with polyamide microfibre content. Continuity in the matrix phase was observed by scanning electron microscopy up to loadings of 40% microfibre.

Applying an experimental design to improve the manufacturing process and properties of a novel sound absorber with recycled fibres from End-of-Life-Tyres

“…Among ELTs, we find rubber with different compositions: metal fibres and textile fibres. The reviewed bibliography reveals that several works have focused on the use of the so-called tyre fluff (a textile fibre), which has been traditionally employed for its calorific power and to obtain other products with higher added value in the field of sound and vibration [4][5][6][7].…”