Abstract
The mechanical and physical properties of fibre reinforced composite boards (FRCB) made from waste paper and recycled polyethylene was investigated. The composite boards were produced at three levels of mixing ratio (50:50, 60:40 and 70:30) and three levels of board density (1000 Kg/m<sup>3</sup>, 1100 Kg/m<sup>3</sup> and 1200 Kg/m<sup>3</sup>). The fibre from the paper served as the reinforcement while the polyethylene served as the matrix or binder to form the composite board. The board produced was subjected to different standard tests to attain mechanical and physical properties such as modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS). The mean values obtained for Thickness Swelling after 24 hours and 48 hours ranged from 0.02 ± 0.04 to 6.05 ± 3.21 and 3.06 ±1.27 to 12.59 ±0.05 respectively and that of water absorption after 24 hours and 48 hours ranged from 4.68 ± 0.25 to 15.78 ± 6.15 and 5.36 ± 0.16 to 18.37 ± 6.03 respectively. The mean value for MOR and MOE ranged from 16.36 ± 9.71 to 18.17 ± 6.76 and 3813.4 ± 1938.76 to 4842.8 ± 1381.05 respectively. These results shown that both the WA and TS decreased with the increase in the board density and mixing ratio. On the other hand, MOR and MOE of the board increased with the increase of board density and the mixing ratio. The results obtained from this study shown that natural fibre from waste paper and recycled polyethylene are compatible for use to produce composite material.
Highlights
Composite technologies have for decades been used to create value-added commodity for building and home furnishing products likes ceiling boards, floor and wall tiles [1]
The thickness swelling after 24 hours and 48 hours water immersion ranges from 6.05 ± 3.21% to 0.02 ± 0.04% and 12.59 ± 0.05% to 3.06 ± 1.27% as presented in the Table 1 and represented in figure 2
It was observed that as the Mixing ratio and board density increases, the thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) decreases. This is in agreement with the work on strength and dimensional Properties of plastic composite boards produced from Terminalia superba [5]
Summary
Composite technologies (plywood, particleboard, flake board and hardboard) have for decades been used to create value-added commodity for building and home furnishing products likes ceiling boards, floor and wall tiles [1]. Other similar new hybrid products, such as wood or natural fibres plastic composites, have recently become popular for decking, roofing, fenestration, and millwork [11]. Plastic and paper waste is a major environmental concern. The high amount of waste generated, non-biodegradability and the fastest depletion of natural resources regarding its short life cycle, increased amount of material utilized in its production, and waste generated of plastic have become a great problem [15]. Utilizing plastic and paper wastes for the production of composite will help to reduce the pressure on the forest, reduce environmental pollution and hazards and reduce emission of greenhouse gasses from burning these wastes which leads to global warming
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