Manufacturing and characterization of waste polyethylene terephthalate-based functional composites reinforced with organic and inorganic fillers

ABSTRACT

Many fillers are employed as reinforcement in polymeric materials to improve their properties and reduce expenses. This research aims to improve the mechanical and thermophysical properties of waste polyethylene terephthalate (WPET). Using recycled materials is also one of the study’s objectives in support of environmental preservation. Glass fiber (3 wt.%, 6 wt.%, 9 wt.%, and 15 wt.%), calcium carbonate (5 wt.%, 15 wt.%, and 25 wt.%), and corn starch (3 wt.%) have all been added to WPET in different ratios to create composite materials. The mechanical strength, Shore D hardness tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermal, mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of these composites have all been investigated. It has been shown that while the amount of starch in the samples remains constant, the hardness increases as the amount of calcite and glass wool increases. The thermal conductivity does not significantly change as the ratio of glass fiber increases, notwithstanding a modest drop Nonetheless, the thermal conductivity values rise in tandem with the calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) ratio.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Calcium carbonate
• characterization
• corn starch
• Functional composite
• glass fiber
• waste polyethylene terephthalate

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management Unit [MF.19.08].

Notes on contributors

Şermin Denİz

Şermin Deniz completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Fırat University, Department of Chemical Engineering (Elazığ, Türkiye). She is mainly interested in the fields of drying technology, polymers, composite materials and biowaste recycling.

Ercan Aydoğmuş

Ercan Aydoğmuş received his undergraduate education at Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Department of Chemical Engineering. He completed his master’s and doctoral degrees at Fırat University, Department of Chemical Engineering (Elazığ, Türkiye). His research interests are focused on sustainable resources, biowastes, biocomposites, polyester, epoxy and polyurethane materials.

Filiz Kar

Filiz Kar completed her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees at Fırat University, Department of Chemical Engineering (Elazığ, Türkiye). She especially has studies on drying technology, food rheology, renewable resources, polymer materials and composites. She currently serves as Head of the Chemical Engineering Department.

Hasan Arslanoğlu

Hasan Arslanoğlu was born in Elazığ in 1983. Dr. Hasan Arslanoğlu gained his BS and MS in Chemical Engineering from Firat University, Elazıg, Turkey in 2005 and 2008, respectively. In 2016, he received his Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from Firat University, Turkey. During his Ph.D. studies, he worked on topics of slow release fertilzers and activated carbon. Hasan Arslanoğlu is a associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart where he has been a faculty member since 2021. In a majority of education by taking various projects throughout the years, he had the opportunity to improve himself as successful. His research interests in the area of sugar technology, removal of heavy metals from waste water, metallurgical waste consideration, hydrometallurgy, slow release fertilzers.