International Journal of Chemical Engineering and Processing

Chemical Engineering Analysis of Polymer Composite Creation Using Sawdust, Sharp

  1. Ikenyiri P. N
  2. Ekperi N. I

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is known for its general adoption for its lightweight and flexibility and durability nature. It is non-biodegradable and contributes majorly to water and land pollution. The amount of plastic-generated waste is increasing extensively following its usefulness there and the inability of users to properly dump or recycle it has resulted in a big threat to the environment. In this research work an attempt has been made to utilize PET waste plastic in manufacturing fiber-reinforced polymer composite by combining sawdust which is another waste product from woodwork operations and sand, a major component in construction, whose use is greatly threatening the ecosystem. The fiber-reinforced polymers composite was combined in ratios 0:0:10, 0:1:9, 1:1:8, 1:2:7, and 1:3:6. These ratios determined the weight percent of each component. The different ratios have been studied and discovered that the density of the fiber-reinforced polymer composites reduced from 1.38g/cm3 to 1.0676g/cm3 as the ratio of PET was reduced in the composite and sawdust was increased. 0.3147 to 5.53 and the compressive strength from 1.792 to 3.689 N/mm2 was the estimated percentage of water adsorption that was observed in the process. PET plastic was used as a resin matrix in producing fiber-reinforced polymer composite and sawdust was applied as biofillers or natural (green) fibers. This method has been considered a very good alternative to conservative clay bricks to plastic waste for the actualization of a healthy environment and healthy living as well.

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