Mechanical properties of composite materials based on waste plastic – A review

Abstract

Over the years there has been a growing interest among researchers to produce and evaluate mechanical properties of fiber reinforced recycled thermoplastic and thermoset resin composites which are derived from non-biodegradable and non-renewable plastics that comprise of massive fraction of disregarded solid waste today. Current paper reviewed all such developments with special emphasis to recycled thermoplastic matrix composite materials. In section of composite materials based on recycled thermoplastic matrix, focus was laid on effect of fiber type and its content comprising of use of glass fibers that are artificial reinforcements and bast fibers, wood fibers, date palm leaf fibers, bamboo fibers that are natural fiber reinforcements. Furthermore, for the same regime, the effect of blending, effect of compatibilizer, effect of fillers, effect of processing method, effects of fiber surface treatment, effect of processing parameters and effect of processing condition was briefed on overall mechanical performance of recycled thermoplastic matrix composites. While, few studies that exist in the archival literature in section of composite materials based on thermoset resin matrix are described in chronological order. Based on the critical review, it is revealed that no significant experimental work is available on fatigue and creep properties of artificial and natural fiber reinforced recycled thermoplastic and thermoset composites. In this regard, studies so far reported has only investigated detailed mechanical properties such as tensile strength, impact strength, adhesion strength, flexural properties, etc.