scholarly journals Enhanced Impact Strength of Recycled PET/Glass Fiber Composites

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1471
Author(s):  
Marco Monti ◽  
Maria Teresa Scrivani ◽  
Irene Kociolek ◽  
Åge G. Larsen ◽  
Kjell Olafsen ◽  
...  

In this paper, we report a study on the effects of different ethylene copolymers in improving the impact strength of a fiber-reinforced composite based on a recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET) from post-consumer bottles. Different ethylene copolymers have been selected in order to evaluate the effects of the polar co-monomer chemical structure and content. The composite mixtures were prepared via melt extrusion, and the samples were manufactured by injection molding. Impact strength was evaluated using Izod tests, and a morphological study (FESEM) was performed. As a result, a composite with substantially improved impact properties was designed. This study demonstrates that a post-consumer PET from the municipal waste collection of plastic bottles can be successfully used as a matrix of high-performance, injection-molded composites, suitable for use in the automotive sector, among others, with no compromise in terms of mechanical requirements or thermal stability.

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 615-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rizuan Mohd Rosnan ◽  
Agus Arsad

Abstract The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of incorporating montmorillonite (MMT) on the mechanical, morphological, rheological, and thermal properties of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites. The MMT contents in 90:10 rPET/HDPE and 70:30 rPET/HDPE ranged from 1 to 5 wt.%. rPET/HDPE nanocomposites were prepared by using a single screw extruder, and injection molded to prepare mechanical test specimens. The samples underwent rheological tests by using a capillary rheometer, and the morphology of the nanocomposites was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal stability of the nanocomposites was tested using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that MMT acts as compatibilizing agent and improves phase dispersion and interfacial adhesion in the nanocomposites. The maximum tensile strength was found at 3 and 1 wt.% of MMT for the 90:10 and 70:30 rPET/HDPE blends. However, the tensile modulus decreased significantly with the incorporation of MMT. The impact strength for both the 90:10 and 70:30 blends reached a maximum at 3 wt.% and started to decrease beyond 3 wt.%. The incorporation of MMT increased the shear viscosity of the 90:10 and 70:30 blends, which reached a maximum value at 3 and 1 wt.%. SEM micrographs showed a good interaction of MMT that improved the adhesion between the two phases of blends and led to an increase in the mechanical properties of rPET/HDPE nanocomposites.


Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dashan Mi ◽  
Yingxiong Wang ◽  
Maja Kuzmanovic ◽  
Laurens Delva ◽  
Yixin Jiang ◽  
...  

In situ microfibrillation and multiflow vibrate injection molding (MFVIM) technologies were combined to control the phase morphology of blended polypropylene (PP) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), wherein PP is the majority phase. Four kinds of phase structures were formed using different processing methods. As the PET content changes, the best choice of phase structure also changes. When the PP matrix is unoriented, oriented microfibrillar PET can increase the mechanical properties at an appropriate PET content. However, if the PP matrix is an oriented structure (shish-kebab), only the use of unoriented spherical PET can significantly improve the impact strength. Besides this, the compatibilizer polyolefin grafted maleic anhydride (POE-g-MA) can cover the PET in either spherical or microfibrillar shape to form a core–shell structure, which tends to improve both the yield and impact strength. We focused on the influence of all composing aspects—fibrillation of the dispersed PET, PP matrix crystalline morphology, and compatibilized interface—on the mechanical properties of PP/PET blends as well as potential synergies between these components. Overall, we provided a theoretical basis for the mechanical recycling of immiscible blends.


2017 ◽  
Vol 885 ◽  
pp. 263-268
Author(s):  
Bela Molnar ◽  
Ferenc Ronkay

During research injection molded samples were made from recycled poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Morphological properties of samples were investigated by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). Total heat flow was separated in two parts, reversing and non-reversing heat flow during measurements. Relationships were found between crystallization and melting processes: the initial crystallinity equals to the non-reversing melting, and the post-crystallization processes equals to reversing melting.


2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gan-Ji Zhong ◽  
Zhan-Chun Chen ◽  
Zhong-Ming Li ◽  
Kai-Zhi Shen ◽  
Liangbin Li ◽  
...  

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 3885
Author(s):  
Teresa Menzel ◽  
Sebastian Weigert ◽  
Andreas Gagsteiger ◽  
Yannik Eich ◽  
Sebastian Sittl ◽  
...  

With macroscopic litter and its degradation into secondary microplastic as a major source of environmental pollution, one key challenge is understanding the pathways from macro- to microplastic by abiotic and biotic environmental impact. So far, little is known about the impact of biota on material properties. This study focuses on recycled, bottle-grade poly(ethylene terephthalate) (r-PET) and the degrading enzyme PETase from Ideonella sakaiensis. Compact tension (CT) specimens were incubated in an enzymatic solution and thermally and mechanically characterized. A time-dependent study up to 96 h revealed the formation of steadily growing colloidal structures. After 96 h incubation, high amounts of BHET dimer were found in a near-surface layer, affecting crack propagation and leading to faster material failure. The results of this pilot study show that enzymatic activity accelerates embrittlement and favors fragmentation. We conclude that PET-degrading enzymes must be viewed as a potentially relevant acceleration factor in macroplastic degradation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 725-732
Author(s):  
Shigeki Hikasa ◽  
Kazuya Nagata ◽  
Yoshinobu Nakamura

The influences of combined elastomers on impact properties and morphology of polypropylene (PP)/elastomer/CaCO3 ternary composites were investigated. In the case that polystyrene- block-poly(ethylene-butene)- block-polystyrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) and poly(ethylene- co-octene) (EOR) were used as elastomers, a sea-island structure consisting of EOR dispersed phase and SEBS continuous phase was formed. The elastomer and the CaCO3 particles were separately dispersed in PP matrix. In the case that carboxylated SEBS (C-SEBS) and EOR were used, the C-SEBS particles were dispersed in the EOR particles. Almost all of the CaCO3 particles were dispersed in the PP matrix, although some of the CaCO3 particles were dispersed in the C-SEBS/EOR combined particles. Impact strength improved with an increase of incorporated CaCO3 particles. The effect of elastomer on the impact strength was SEBS ≥ SEBS/EOR > EOR = C-SEBS/EOR > C-SEBS. The morphology formed by elastomer and CaCO3 particles strongly affected the impact properties of the ternary composites.


2020 ◽  
pp. 002199832096455
Author(s):  
Fernanda Steffens ◽  
Fernando Ribeiro Oliveira ◽  
Raul Fangueiro

The objective of this study is to analyze the impact behavior on the basis of energy approach of weft knitted structures, namely a jersey composite and an auxetic composite using high performance yarns. Weft knitted fabrics were produced with the same structural and machine parameters, using 100% para-aramid and hybrid (47% para-aramid and 53% polyamide) structure. Composite fabrication was achieved through hand lay-up using epoxy resin. Negative Poisson ratio of the reinforcing auxetic fabric was transferred from the fabric to the composite developed. Results obtained by drop weight dart impact test show that the impact experiment with different impact loads confirmed the auxetic composites, regardless de material composition, have an increase in the total energy absorption compared to jersey reinforced composite, approximately 2.5 and 4 times more for para-aramid and hybrid composite, respectively. Auxetic composites developed within this work present great potential for applications in different areas, mainly where energy absorption is a key factor to be considered, such as in protection, sports among others.


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