Polymer matrix composites have established themselves in the materials family due to their improved properties like high specific stiffness and strength, durability etc. Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) is being used as matrix material in a variety of polymer matrix composites. Composite materials based on RPET matrix, in addition to being cost effective, are also environment friendly. Use of RPET as matrix material not only reduces the consumption of virgin materials, but it also simultaneously addresses the concern regarding environmental pollution due to post consumer PET waste. This review compiles and critically analyses the efforts of various researchers regarding the influence of; different types of reinforcing materials such as synthetic and natural fibers, micro and nano fillers, blending of RPET with various virgin polymers, on the properties of composite materials based on RPET.

Composite materials based on recycled polyethylene terephthalate and their properties – A comprehensive review

Thermoplastic composites filled with wood-base fillers have gained increasing attention, because compared to virgin polymers they have many advantages of light weight, high strength and stiffness, low cost, biodegradability and renewability. These advantages let them find a large dispersal in many areas of technical applications. However, poor interfacial interaction between hydrophilic wood-base fillers and hydrophobic polymer matrices should be improved to get reasonable physical properties for their wide applications. The interfacial interaction could be improved by addition of coupling agents and chemical modifications of wood-base fillers. To improve physical properties of the thermoplastic/wood composites, further nanofillers can be incorporated. This review summarizes recent developments in thermoplastic/wood composites and deals with wood-base fillers for thermoplastics, various interface modification methods and various thermoplastic/wood composites as well as nanocomposites. This review can provide reasonable future perspectives in this research area and stimulate development of new innovative thermoplastic/wood composites as well as nanocomposites.

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Recent development in thermoplastic/wood composites and nanocomposites: A review

Date palm fibre filled recycled ternary polymer blend composites with enhanced flame retardancy

Waste recycling is one of the key aspects in current day studies to boost the country’s circular economy. Recycling wood from construction and demolished structures and combining it with plastics forms wood-polymer composites (WPC) which have a very wide scope of usage. Such recycled composites have very low environmental impact in terms of abiotic potential, global warming potential, and greenhouse potential. Processing of WPCs can be easily done with predetermined strength values that correspond to its end application. Yet, the usage of conventional polymer composite manufacturing techniques such as injection molding and extrusion has very limited scope. Many rheological characterization techniques are being followed to evaluate the influence of formulation and process parameters over the quality of final WPCs. It will be very much interesting to carry out a review on the material formulation of WPCs and additives used. Manufacturing of wood composites can also be made by using bio-based adhesives such as lignin, tannin, and so on. Nuances in complete replacement of synthetic adhesives as bio-based adhesives are also discussed by various researchers which can be done only by complete understanding of formulating factors of bio-based adhesives. Wood composites play a significant role in many non-structural and structural applications such as construction, floorings, windows, and door panels. The current review focuses on the processing of WPCs along with additives such as wood flour and various properties of WPCs such as mechanical, structural, and morphological properties. Applications of wood-based composites in various sectors such as automotive, marine, defense, and structural applications are also highlighted in this review.

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A Critical Review on Wood-Based Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Prospects

Recent trends in utilization of plastics waste composites as construction materials

This study deals with the fabrication of composite matrix from saw dust (SD) and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at different ratio (w/w) by flat-pressed method. The wood plastic composites (WPCs) were made with a thickness of 6 mm after mixing the saw dust and PET in a rotary type blender followed by flat press process. Physical i.e., density, moisture content (MC), water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS), and mechanical properties i.e., Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) were assessed as a function of mixing ratios according to the ASTM D-1037 standard. WA and TS were measured after 24 hours of immersion in water at 25, 50 and 75°C temperature. It was found that density decreased 18.3% when SD content increased from 40% to 70% into the matix. WA and TS increased when the PET content decreased in the matrix and the testing water temperature increased. MOE and MOR were reached to maximum for the fabricated composites (2008.34 and 27.08 N/mm2, respectively) when the SD content were only 40%. The results indicated that the fabrication of WPCs from sawdust and PET would technically feasible; however, the use of additives like coupling agents could further enhance the properties of WPCs.

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Mushfiqur Rahman

Papers

Flat-pressed wood plastic composites from sawdust and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET): physical and mechanical properties.