Plastic Resin Research Articles

Investigating Consumer Preferences for Sustainable Packaging Through a Different Behavioural Approach: A Random Regret Minimization Application

Plastic pollution causing the near-permanent contamination of the environment is a preeminent concern. The largest market sector for plastic resins is packaging, and the food industry plays a major role in producing plastic packaging waste. Therefore, the gradual switch of the food system towards pro-environmental packaging strategies is required to contain the plastic packaging waste issue. To this extent, this study aimed to investigate how food consumers relatively value the provision of different sustainable packaging alternatives, namely the unpackaged option and bioplastic packaging. Moreover, to shed light on the behavioural mechanism underlying the decision-making process for sustainable packaging, we considered two different decision paradigms: the traditional random utility maximization and random regret minimization framework. Overall, our results indicate that consumer tastes are highly heterogeneous and that preference patterns change according to the behavioural approach assumed by individuals. Policymakers and marketers of food industries need to carefully consider the differences in the decision mechanism of consumers when implementing strategies to encourage pro-environmental food choices. Notably, our findings elucidate on the importance to embrace other perspectives as well, and not simply limit to utility maximization, to fully comprehend the decision-making process of consumers for sustainable foods.

The Long-Term Interfacial Evolution and Prediction of Carbon- and Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Rods under a Hygrothermal Environment.

In order to promote the engineering applications of carbon- and glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrid rods, it is necessary to fully understand its long-term hygrothermal durability. In the present study, the water absorption behaviors of a hybrid rod in a water immersion environment are studied experimentally, the degradation rules of the mechanical properties are obtained, and establishing a life prediction model is attempted. The water absorption of the hybrid rod confirms to the classical Fick's diffusion model, and the water absorption concentration is determined by radial position, immersion temperature, and immersion time. In addition, the radial position of water molecules diffused into the rod is positively correlated with the diffusion concentration. The short-beam shear strength of the hybrid rod decreased significantly after 360 days of exposure; this is because water molecules interact with the polymer through hydrogen bonds to produce bound water during the immersion process, leading to resin matrix hydrolysis and plasticization, as well as interfacial debonding. In addition, the ingression of water molecules caused degradation in the viscoelastic behavior of the resin matrix in hybrid rods. The glass transition temperature of hybrid rods decreased by 17.4% after exposure at 80 °C for 360 days. The Arrhenius equation was used calculate the long-term life of short-beam shear strength in the actual service temperature based on the time-temperature equivalence theory. The stable strength retention for SBSS was found to be 69.38%, which is a useful durability design parameter for hybrid rods in civil engineering structures.

Simple Universal Whole-Organ Resin-Embedding Protocol for Display of Anatomical Structures.

Whole-organ plastic resin casting is a very useful method for preserving rare pathological specimens for forensic/anatomical studies and for teaching/research purposes. Many techniques have been proposed over time, but most of them use special non-commercially available resin mixtures, lengthy protocols, and are overall not easily implemented in any anatomy/pathology department that might need such a procedure for rapid organ preservation. Here, we utilized anatomical sections of the human brain, heart, kidneys, spleen, large intestine, and lungs from on-display organs that were fixed for more than 1 year in 10% neutral-buffered formalin and from a freshly processed cadaver for teaching purposes in our Human Anatomy Department, and we optimized a fast-processing protocol without the use of any clearing agents, which yields solid, clear, cylindrical resin casting blocks. The resulting protocol, which takes no longer than 4 days, proves that at least three commonly used epoxy resins from hobby shops can be utilized without any restrictions, and the use of resin or glycerin vacuum-forced impregnation even offers two choices of intrinsic contrast, depending on the nature of the preparation. A number of innovations have been included here and compared to existing publications, such as the use of a system of permanent fixation plexiglas rods that maintain the organ in the desired position and become invisible in the final block, the use of UVC sterilization of the tissue to ensure a long shelf life of the block, and the utilization of cheap cylindrical polypropylene food containers as casting molds. Altogether, we present a simple resin-embedding protocol that can be made available to any department/institution without the need for expensive materials and specially trained personnel.

BPA modulates the neutrophil response and cytokine environment in a model of tail fin regeneration

Abstract The ER-α and β ligand bisphenol A (BPA) is used in the production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. BPA presents a potential environmental challenge to both human and wildlife immunity due to its widespread use and its resulting presence in surface water and wastewater runoff. We observed that BPA exposure downregulates the expression of a neutrophil-recruiting chemokine in both mice (cxcl1) and zebrafish (cxcl8) and that BPA exposure decreases neutrophil recruitment to a tail injury in zebrafish. Neutrophils are essential for the removal of damaged tissue and invading microbes, thus facilitating tissue regeneration of the tail fin. To investigate BPA’s effects on larval zebrafish tail regeneration, we induced a tail injury at day 3 post fertilization (dpf) and found that fish exposed to 100 ng/ml BPA regenerate a smaller tail fin area at 3 dpi (p-value < 0.01). We hypothesized that neutrophil recruitment could be tied to regeneration by altering the expression of inflammation- and regeneration-related genes. 3 dpf embryos exposed to BPA show modulated levels of background wnt10aand il-10expression compared to controls. BPA exposure reduces the 3 hour post-injury inflammatory response by decreasing both il-1and il-6expression. By modifying the cytokine environment both prior to and following infection and injury, BPA impacts both the inflammatory response and tissue regeneration. Multiple cytokine and chemokine genes are regulated by the transcription factor NF-kB and Wnt plays a key role in tissue regeneration; these two proteins also cross regulate one another. The impact of BPA on wnt10aand nfkbexpression following tissue injury and LPS exposure will be discussed. Supported by Carleton College.

Solvated polystyrene resin: a perspective on sustainable alternative to epoxy resin in composite development

ABSTRACT Because of its superior mechanical qualities, chemical resistance, and adherence to a variety of substrates, epoxy resin is the most often utilized plastic matrix in composite development. However, in recent years, solvated polystyrene, also called polystyrene-based resin (PBR), has been used to make plastic resin. PBR is simple to make, inexpensive, and can be cured without the use of heat. This review evaluates the qualities, benefits, and possibilities of PBR as a composite development alternative to epoxy resin. PBR can be created manually using the mixing and laying-up techniques, and it can be fully dried at room temperature for three to ten days without the need for a curing agent or hardener. PBR has been reinforced with a variety of fillers to create different composites of competing properties depending on filler types and quantities. Future perspectives and recommendations were outlined, including the projective aspect of PBR-based composites for future work.

Fast analysis of gross alpha with a new plastic scintillation resin.

Radionuclides analysis is a complex task, with high time and economic costs. In decommissioning activities and environmental monitoring, it is very evident, in which, to obtain an appropriate information, it is necessary to perform as many analyses as possible. The number of these analyses can be reduced using screening gross alpha or gross beta parameters. However, the currently used methods cannot give an answer as fast as it would be desired and, moreover, more than 50% of the results reported in the interlaboratory exercises fall outside the acceptance range. This work presents the development of a new material and method to gross alpha activity determination using a plastic scintillation resin (PSresin) in drinking and river water samples. A specific procedure was developed involving a new PSresin (using bis-(3-trimethylsilyl-1-propyl)-methanediphosphonic acid as an extractant) that is selective for all actinides, radium and polonium. Quantitative retention and 100% detection efficiencies were obtained at pH 2 with nitric acid. PSA value of 135 was used for α/β discrimination. Eu was used to determine or estimate retention in sample analyses. The method developed can measure, in less than 5h from the reception of the sample, the gross alpha parameter with quantification errors comparable or even lower to those obtained with conventional methods.

Life Cycle Assessment of Plastic Resin: A Case Study of the Petrochemical Industry in Thailand for the Production of HDPE Resin

Life cycle sustainability is an important tool for assessing product performance based on the three pillars of environment, economy and society. This study examined the life cycle impact, cost and social implications of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin. Environmental assessment revealed nonrenewable energy as the greatest impact followed by carcinogens, respiratory inorganics and global warming while economically, the operational cost of HDPE resin production was significantly highest. The social impact assessment following the United Nation Environmental Programme (UNEP)/ Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) guidelines demonstrated optimal performance for all indicators except for gender ratio and disabled employee criteria which were lower human rights indicators than other companies. The subcategory of occupational health and safety should be specified in future aspects, such as rate of disease from company operation. Energy efficiency and material acquisition should be improved to reduce the environmental impact and positively redress declining costs, leading to decrease in disease rate among workers in the local community. Results suggested that improving environmental impact would increase economic performance through optimal energy efficiency, while the social life cycle assessment indicator should mainly focus on health and safety in the event of disease arising from business operations.

Mechanism of nephrotoxicity induced by chronic exposure of bisphenol A in mice based on oxidative stress and cell apoptosis

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used to produce epoxy resin and polycarbonate plastic products. In severe cases, these plastics may release BPA, which then infiltrates into the environment. Various concentrations of BPA have been found in most biological fluid. Its presence has been well shown to be closely related to many chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, little is known regarding the adverse effects of BPA exposure and its succedent cellular events on CKD. Hence, in the current in vivo study, we aimed to assess the effects of chronic exposure to BPA on animal nephrotoxicity through investigating oxidative stress and apoptosis. Upon exposure to BPA at 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/L via drinking water for four weeks, the mated and pregnant females were continuously exposed to BPA until weaning. Subsequently, three weeks old F1-male neonates were also orally challenged with the same three doses of BPA for ten weeks. The results showed that the kidneys of 0.1 and 1 mg/L BPA-treated mice were seriously damaged; the contents of serum renal function indexes and lipid peroxidation products were significantly increased, including urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; the morphological structure of mouse kidneys was impaired; the expressions of antioxidant-related genes at mRNA and protein levels from mouse kidneys were markedly diminished, including glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase; the expressions of genes and proteins related to apoptosis index (ratio of Bax/Bcl-1 and Caspase-3) were significantly enhanced. The data manifested that cumulative oxidative stress and apoptosis might play an essential role in the animal nephrotoxicity induced by chronic exposure to BPA.

Upcycling of real-world HDPE plastic wastes into high-purity methane and hierarchical porous carbon materials: Influence of plastics additives

The massive use and discarding of plastics have brought serious environmental problems. Upcycling of plastic waste into fuels and value-added materials is a promising approach for mitigating environmental pressure and the energy crisis. However, pure plastic resins were used in most current research, and the influence of plastics additives is seldom studied. In this study, real-world high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic wastes (PWs) with additives of CaCO3 and carbon black were investigated. PWs were converted into high-purity methane (>93 %) and hierarchical porous carbon materials (HPCs) with high specific surface area (2785 −2913 m2 g−1) through autogenic pressure pyrolysis-KOH activation. Applied in supercapacitors, HPCs exhibited outstanding specific capacitance (301 F g−1 at 1 A g−1), rate performance (89.1 % at 20 A g−1), and cyclic stability (82 % after cycling for 5000 times). The additives showed little influence on the product distribution and methane content, but changed the morphology and properties of HPCs. With additives, the meso- and macro-pore proportion and surface functional groups increased, but the graphitization degree decreased, which further altered the capacitive performances of HPCs. HPC from PWs with additives exhibited higher specific capacitance, and better rate performance, but lower cyclic stability. This work paved an efficient and sustainable way for the high-value utilization of PWs.

Optimization of Testicular Fixation-Embedding Techniques for Improved Evaluation of Mammalian Spermatogonial Morphology and Function.

Numerous methods have beensuccessfully used to evaluate mammalian spermatogonial biologyHowever, the conventional light microscopy assays present a challenge in precisely identifying spermatogonial phenotypes, which can result in discrepancies between molecular and morphological findings. Such precise association could lead to a more robust interpretation of spermatogonial activityin steady-state spermatogenesis, which may facilitate the translation from basic researchto clinical applications. In this chapter, we present two histological processing methods that enable a comprehensive analysis of spermatogonial morphology and function, involving fixation of mammaliantesticular tissue in glutaraldehyde and embedding in plastic resin. These techniques have proven to be effective in light microscopy studies.

Analysis of impacts of exogenous pollutant bisphenol-A penetration on soybeans roots and their biological growth.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common chemical used in plastic production. BPA, which has the potential to be poisonous to plants, has lately emerged as a serious environmental concern owing to its extensive usage and release patterns. Prior study has only looked at how BPA affects plants up to a certain stage in their growth. The precise mechanism of toxicity, penetration of BPA, and damage to internal root tissues remains unknown. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the hypothesized mechanism for BPA-induced root cells by studying the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on the ultrastructure and function of root tip cells of soybean plants. We looked at plant changes in root cell tissues after BPA exposure. Further, the biological characteristics that responded to BPA stress were investigated, and the accumulation of BPA in the root, stem, and leaf of the soybean plant was systematically investigated by using FTIR and SEM analysis. The uptake of BPA is a key internal factor that contributes to changes in biological characteristics. Our findings provide insight into how BPA could alter plant root growth, which might contribute new knowledge toward a better scientific appraisal of the possible dangers of BPA exposure for plants.

High-performance thermosets for additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) has come a long way since its initial inception. Previously considered a fast prototyping method, it offers significant benefits for use as a method of producing user-end parts that are limited in quantity, customizable, and/or complicated geometries. For AM to be considered in high-performance applications, such as automotive and aerospace, we must consider AM technology and the available and compatible printing materials. Typically only thermoset plastic resins are capable of meeting high-performance specifications, such as sufficiently high strength, stiffness, and toughness, as well as excellent chemical and environmental resistance. This review presents a broad overview of the available high-performance thermoset chemistries and formulations, i.e., resin blends. The base resin chemistries that are covered are: vinyl, epoxy, imides, cyanate ester, urethanes, benzoxazine, and click chemistries (e.g., Michael addition). Subsequently, more application-relevant blends of these base resins are discussed. Each section focuses on resin details such as reaction mechanisms, typical monomer structure, mechanical properties, and applications specific to AM. The review is organized as follows. We begin with an introduction on the state-of-the-art, the challenges still faced by the field, and a benchmark definition of “high performance.” This is followed by a discussion of the available AM technologies for thermoset printing, with a focus on their advantages and disadvantages. Next, we cover the details of different resin chemistry, followed by their blends. The following section details the difficulties in developing AM technologies that allow for the incorporation of fillers, such as rheological modifiers and reinforcements. The review ends with a perspective on the future of AM technologies that would bridge the gap between pure resin printing and the much needed composite printing for high-performance applications.

A Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Framework for Selecting Fourth-Party Logistics Service Providers in Fleet Transportation Management: A Case Study in Plastic Resin Manufacturing

Since the selection of the fourth-party logistics service providers (4PLs) has become a crucial strategic decision to innovatively enhance the logistics processes and to reduce logistics costs. Despite a growing interest among practitioners and academicians in shifting the outsourcing of the logistics service to 4PLs, few studies have focused on developing a framework for selection and evaluation. This paper contributes to the literature in proposing a hybrid multi-criteria decision framework to select the best 4PLs in fleet transport management service. The proposed framework is divided into four phases. First, the 4PLs selection criteria are identified through literature review and industrial experts in the field. Second, Decision Evaluation and Experimental Laboratory (DEMATEL) is employed to explore the inter-relationship among selection criteria as well as to analyze the relative importance weights of criteria. Next, a multi-objective optimization model based on ratio analysis (MOORA) is utilized to rank and select the best 4PLs applicant. Finally, the sensitivity analysis is performed to validate the robustness of the proposed framework. One of the major plastic resin manufacturers in Thailand is used as a case study. This study provides the useful insights for selecting and evaluating 4PLs to practitioners and academicians working on this subject.

Transcriptome analysis and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase reveal the molecular mechanism of Bisphenol A degradation by Pseudomonas putida strain YC-AE1.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a rapid spreading organic pollutant that widely used in many industries especially as a plasticizer in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. BPA reported as a prominent endocrine disruptor compound that possesses estrogenic activity and fulminant toxicity.Pseudomonas putidaYC-AE1 was isolated in our previous study and exerted a strong degradation capacity toward BPA at high concentrations; however, the molecular degradation mechanism is still enigmatic. We employed RNA sequencing to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the YC-AE1 strain upon BPA induction. Out of 1229 differentially expressed genes, 725 genes were positively regulated, and 504 genes were down-regulated. The pathways of microbial metabolism in diverse environments were significantly enriched among DEGs based on KEGG enrichment analysis. qRT-PCR confirm the involvement of BPA degradation relevant genes in accordance with RNA Seq data. The degradation pathway of BPA in YC-AE1 was proposed with specific enzymes and encoded genes. The role of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in BPA degradation was further verified. Sever decrease in BPA degradation was recorded by YC-AE1 in the presence of CYP450 inhibitor. Subsequently, CYP450bisdBdeficient YC-AE1 strain △bisdB lost its ability toward BPA transformationcomparing with the wild type. Furthermore, Transformation ofE. coliwith pET-32a-bisdABempowers it to degrade 66mgl-1 of BPA after 24h. Altogether, the results showed the role of CYP450 in biodegradation of BPA by YC-AE1. In this study we propose the molecular basis and the potential role of YC-AE1cytochrome P450 monooxygenase in BPA catabolism.

Simultaneous determination of 210Pb and 90Sr and 210Po isolation in sludge samples using a plastic scintillation resin

This study describes a new and fast method for separating 210Po from 210Pb and 90Sr, before simultaneously measuring the individual activities of the latter two radionuclides using a plastic scintillation resin (PSresin) in sludge samples taken from a drinking water treatment plant. This method speeds up the analysis process significantly by simultaneously measuring 210Pb and 90Sr in a single step. The method is reproducible and has a relative standard deviation of less than 25% for 210Pb, 210Po and 90Sr. The method was satisfactorily validated with an intercomparison sample and applied to sludge samples from a drinking water treatment plant. The minimum detectable activities for 0.9 g of sludge are 5.5 Bq/kg and 8 Bq/kg for 210Pb and 90Sr respectively when measured for 180 min, and 0.5 Bq/kg for 210Po when measured for 5000 min.

Multi-scale analysis of compressive behavior of 3D five-directional braided composites after thermal oxygen aging: Experimentally validated theoretical and numerical models

Three-dimensional (3D) braided composites have been widely used in the aeronautics and astronautics industries, especially as components in hot-pressing conditions. However, its mechanical performances are specially affected under high temperatures. This work proposes to detect the influence of thermal oxygen aging on residual mechanical behaviors and failure mechanisms of 3D five-directional braided composites with different braiding parameters using the multi-scale method. Firstly, a micro-scale theoretical mass loss model was developed to predict the mass loss, and the effective mechanical properties of the fiber bundle were calculated using the Mori-Tanaka model. Moreover, meso-scale parameterized model was established to capture the damage evolution and predict residual mechanical responses. Finally, the compressive experiments of aged composites were conducted to verify theoretical and numerical models. The results concluded that as the aging days increased, the compressive performance continuously decreased, and the degradation of performance retention rate slowed down. The resin plasticization and interface debonding were primary factors to result in the decline of mechanical performances of composites. The effect of thermal oxygen aging on composites with small braiding angle was more significant. The theoretical and simulation strategies could effectively predict aging behaviors of component structures and residual mechanical properties.

Compressive characteristics of resin translucent cement mortar (RTCM) used in the external walls to rationalize the energy spent inside the building

Translucent concrete (TC) is a green and sustainable material allows the light to transmit through itself by means of plastic optical fibers (POFs) or resin material embedded in concrete components. This study highlights the compressibility characteristics of resin translucent cement mortar (RTCM) and the possibility of using this material in the construction of external walls to rationalize energy expenditure within the building spaces to create a green sustainable environment inside the building. Compressive strength characteristics of RTCM, compared to that of translucent concrete containing POFs, is investigated in this paper. Furthermore, it is required to identify a theoretical approach for using RTCM in external walls of the building and its relationship to energy conservation, and then determining the effects of its use through a practical study on a test sample with using Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) program in the field of energy to measure the amount of energy expenditure. It’s found that adding a small amount of epoxy resin (ER) to the plain mix will raise the compressive strength, any extra amount of the ER will reduce the compressive strength. Finally, the study proved the possibility of using RTCM, with high efficiency, instead of bricks in the external walls of the building because of its ability to rationalize the energy spent in the building compared to the bricks.

CO2 based co-gasification of printed circuit board with high ash coal

Electronic wastes are accumulated in the environment due to their non-degradability nature, which makes them unsuitable for landfills. Printed circuit board (PCB) is one of the e-wastes significantly occupying the generated wastes. To utilize them efficiently, in the present study, PCB is thermally treated under N2 and CO2 conditions by pyrolysis and gasification processes at various temperatures. A maximum tar yield of 7.46% is obtained during PCB pyrolysis at 500 °C with a tar calorific value of 31.28 MJ/kg. CO2 gasification of PCB mixture at 1000 °C achieved the highest conversion of 97.6% resulting in a cold gas efficiency (CGE) of 91.9% and exergy efficiency of 82.9%. Further, high ash Indian coal is co-gasified with PCB mixture. It is found that the addition of PCB mixture, PCB resin, and PCB plastic in a 4:1 ratio (HAC: PCB) with HAC increased the CGE by 6.81%, 4.26%, and 2.3%, respectively. Further, the BET analyses of the co-gasification residue showed the generation of surface area as high as 186 m2/g and therefore, it can be suitable as a catalyst for cracking reactions. Further, the residue contains CaCO3, TiO2, and SnO2, which are potential additives in the concrete material for the construction of buildings.

Impacts of Plastic Usage on Human Health

To date, most of natural materials used in manufacturing such as paper, glass, and cotton, have been replaced by plastic. Global production currently exceeds 320 million tonnes (Mt) per year, over 40% of which is used as single-use packaging, resulting in plastic waste [1]. In Malaysia, plastic shopping or carrier bags are one of the main sources of plastic waste, therefore, Malaysia is tracking global trends in both the overall generation of plastic waste and the consumption of single-use plastics. Malaysia ranks second in Asia after Philippines for annual per capita plastic use and, it ranks eighth among nations worldwide that mismanage plastic waste [2].
 At every stage of its lifecycle, plastic poses distinct risks to human health. However, many traders still prefer to use non-environmentally friendly plastic bags because they are cheaper than biodegradable ones [2]. Chemicals are added to plastics to give them characteristics such as plasticity, colour, malleability, durability, or the hardness that some products need. Some groups of these chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates have been identified as hazardous for human health, as they have been suspected of disrupting our hormonal system. BPA has been associated with several health problems such as ovarian chromosomal damage, decreased sperm production, rapid puberty, rapid changes in immune system, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorder, obesity etc. Some studies have also claimed that BPA increases the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, pains, metabolic disorders, etc. BPA in women can be associated with impaired health, including obesity, endometrial hyperplasia, recurrent miscarriages, sterility, and polycystic ovarian syndrome [4]. Moreover, substances such as POPs, benzyne, and VOCs are present, which are all proven to adversely affect human health [3].
 Exposure to harmful chemicals during manufacturing, leaching in the stored food items while using plastic packages or chewing of plastic teethers and toys by children are linked with severe adverse health outcomes such as cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive effects etc. [3]. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine the impact of plastic to human health. This paper involved with secondary data collected from journals, proceedings, books, and internet sources regarding the topic.
 To conclude, Malaysia recycled just 24% of key plastic resins in 2019 and currently is not on track to meet the JPSPN (National Solid Waste Management Department) recycling target of 40% by 2025. Hence, removing plastic from the environment is incredibly urgent, as it creates environmental and health problems for both humans and marine life. Thus, plastics recognized to be a global contaminant of concern by policymakers, scientists, media, and public attention on the issue steadily increasing. Hence, promotion of plastics substitutes and safe disposal of plastic waste requires urgent and definitive action to take care of this potential health hazard in future [3]. One of the immediate campaigns launched was a No Plastic Bag Day (NPBD) in 2011 in raising awareness and reducing the use of single-use plastics in Malaysia. Through this campaign, free plastic bags in grocery stores were banned nationwide with a levy of 0.20 MYR was also added per plastic bag consumed in grocery stores and supermarkets to change consumer behaviour. This was followed by a nationwide ban on the use of straws in 2020 [5]. Recognizing that plastic pollution is a serious emerging issue, Malaysia’s Roadmap towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018–2030 was gazetted back in 2018 with the vision to take a phased, evidence-based, and holistic approach by involving all stakeholders in jointly addressing single-use plastics pollution in Malaysia [5].

Water absorption and long-term thermal and mechanical properties of carbon/glass hybrid rod for bridge cable

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites rod has been used as cable in long-span bridge structure owing to the light weight, high strength and corrosion resistance. The hygrothermal aging will degrade the service performances of FRP cable significantly. In the present study, the accelerated aging experiment of carbon/glass fiber reinforced hybrid rod is conducted through the immersion in deionized water at 40 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C for 403 days. The water absorption and diffusion behavior, evolution of fiber-matrix interfacial strength and dynamic thermo-mechanical property are investigated experimentally. Furthermore, the microstructure characterization is conducted to reveal the degradation mechanism. The results show that the water absorption and diffusion behavior of hybrid rod conforms to a two-stage model, the resin relaxation and interfacial debonding bring about more diffusion path for water molecules at second stage. The resin plasticization and interfacial debonding are the prominte factors lead to the degradation of interfacial strength and glass transition temperature. Furthermore, it is found that the plasticization effect is reversible with the removal of bonding water after drying, while the interfacial debonding is permanent. The long-term life evaluation shows that interface shear strength of hybrid rod shell has a fast degradation rate and reaches to a stable level of 62 %, which provides the key design parameter for bridge structures.