The effect of air release additive on mechanical properties of composites containing glass reinforced polyester waste
Mariola Jastrzębska
Quarterly No. 3, 2009 pages 219-222
DOI:
keywords: air release additive, material recycling, polyester composites, glass reinforced polyester waste
abstract The current disposal methods of glass reinforced polyesters waste are landfill and it is a major problem. Due to the in- creased environmental demands and economics of industry, it is important to solve the problem. The previous studies were focused on material recycling glass reinforced polyester. The wastes of the glass fibre reinforced cold-cured polyester laminates were ground in shredder. The recyclate was added to polyester resin in order to produce new composites. While using the recyclate to obtain composites the entrapped air bubbles were observed in samples. The bubbles lead to the weaking of the material. The results of the investigation showed that using 12 wt. % of the recyclate as a fillers leads to a slight decrease of the compressive strength and the bending strength of the composites. The air release additive was used in the composites with the recyclate in order to decreasing the amount of bubbles. The addition of greater amount of recyclate without getting worse mechanical properties allows wide application and reducing production cost. In this paper some mechanical properties (the bending strength, the compressive strength) of the composites with and without air release additive were investigated according to the Polish Standards. Glass reinforced polyesters waste composite, initially shredded into finer material, then can be applied as a filler or reinforcement in the new lightweight and low resistant composite products (building materials) like fencing, railing or panelling materials. Applying the recyclate as a filler will also be a good way of polymer composites utilization. It is a very important ecological aspect.