Mechanical and structural properties of composites made from recycled and virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and metal chip or mesh wire

Mircea Aurelian Antoniu Rusu,Ionela Amalia Mazilu (Moldovan),Sever-Adrian Radu,Catalin Moldovan,Laura Monica Rusu,Codruta Sarosi

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201929906007

Abstract

Although polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a champion of recycling, intense research is being done to find new solutions for using recycled plastic. This study aims to characterize the mechanical andstructural properties (SEM- scanning electron microscopy) of products made from recycled metal swarf or mesh wire with recycled plastic (PET) in comparison with virgin plastic. Samples manufactured from virgin and recycled PET are made by pressing and high temperature. The loss of mechanical properties ofproducts made from recycled plastic is a major drawback that influences their use. SEM images confirm that the dispersion and distribution of the PET phase is not very uniform. By addition of virgin plastic in various compositions with recycled plastic, processing parameters and mechanical properties can be optimized.

Highlights

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a semi-crystalline polymer and its composites are widely used in the packaging, construction, automotive, household, electrical and textile industries
The virgin PET was from BP Aromatics, metal swarf from waste collected after the turning process and the braided metal mesh used in the industry
When analyzing the microstructure given in section of fig.3b it can be observed the complex structure of the composite and the existence of a predominant orientation of the PET fibers, in the up and down direction of the graph

Summary

Introduction

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a semi-crystalline polymer and its composites are widely used in the packaging, construction, automotive, household, electrical and textile industries. The grinding is done with machines at a more advanced grinding level Many plastic materials, such as those made of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and used for beverage containers, are formed by blowing, reheating or other operations that require thermal softening of the polymer [15-22]. Xiao Wang et al [24] present a study on modeling and optimizing the adhesion process by laser transmission technique between PET and 316L stainless steel using surface response methodology. The choice of laser parameters plays a very important role in determining the quality of the joint in the technique of laser transmission between PET films and 316L stainless steel plates. The parameters that influence the quality of the laser transmission at the connection between PET and stainless -steel plates were optimized using the response methodology for its realization, high power and a minimum common width. The experimental values are almost the same as the values offered by the mathematical model used and it indicates that the scanning model offers the appropriate answers by optimizing the key parameters through fast processing

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion