Mechanical strength evaluation of composites made from waste printed circuit boards (PCBs)

Abstract

ABSTRACTSustainable resource recovery and recycling forms an integral part of a developed and developing economy. In line with this universally acceptable sustainable practice, the feasibility of utilizing the nonmetallic fraction (NMF) from waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) as a reinforcing additive in the waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from the piping industry to form a usable composite material was investigated. Mechanical strength evaluation of PCB–PVC composites was investigated in terms of morphological NMF powder properties and fracture analysis at surfaces of PCB–PVC composites. The acquired results showed that the NMF addition to a certain limit can significantly improve the mechanical strength properties of waste PVC such as the tensile strength, bending strength, and modulus. An optimum NMF ratio value of 20% for improved mechanical strength properties was identified. Adding 500 µm NMF with optimum weight ratio increased the tensile strength (40%), tensile modulus (38.8%), bending strength (12.7%), and bending modulus (31%) of composites in comparison with nonadditive recycled PVC. Further it was observed that changing the NMF particle size from 500 to 150 µm decreased the tensile strength (7.14%), modulus (16%) and increased bending strength (7.74%) and modulus (5.7%). This investigation suggests that the waste NMF of PCBs in the identified optimum weight ratio can form an effective addition to the waste (PVC) to improve its mechanical strength properties. The effective use in this manner will lead to a promising new way of recycling the waste NMF of PCBs resulting in potential new uses by simultaneous sustainable waste reduction and reuse of otherwise a hazardous waste.