Mechanical properties of recycled Kraft paper residue polyester composites

Abstract

Construction industry has a significant grow in the past few years. Following that rate, the amount of residue produced from that growth also increases. The need to find alternatives apart from disposing that residue in landfills have led researchers to find new materials from disposal residues. In this paper, kraft paper from cement bags used in building constructions is utilized as reinforcement in unsaturated polyester matrix composites. The kraft paper residue (KPR) was used as shredded particles in different quantities, 30%, 40% and 50%, by weight, and also cutted in sheets to be used as laminas. Tensile and flexural tests were performed to characterize the KPR composites. The results showed that tensile strength and modulus of elasticity increase as shredded KPR content increase. Higher increase was observed when KPR laminas were used as reinforcement. In flexion, a decrease is reported when shredded KPR is used but an increase was observed due to KPR laminas. Flexural modulus was not altered by KPR.