Mechanical and Thermal Behavior of Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene Composites with Coal Mining Waste

The study examined the effect of fillers on the mechanical properties of the recycled low density polyethylene composites under weathered condition with a view of managing the generation and disposal of plastic wastes. Discarded pure water sachets and fillers (glass and talc) were sourced and recycled. Recycled low density polyethylene (RLDPE) and preparation of RLDPE/glass, RLDPE/talc and RLDPE/glass/talc composites were carried out using a furnace at compositions of 0 – 40% in steps of 10% by weight. The mixtures were poured into hand-laid mould. The samples produced were exposed to sunlight for eight (8) weeks and their mechanical properties were studied. The results of mechanical tests revealed that tensile strength decreased with increasing filler loading while impact strength and hardness property increased marginally and considerably with increasing filler loading for all the composites respectively. The study concluded that glass and talc were able to reinforce recycled low density polyethylene under weathered condition. Keywords: Recycled Low Density Polyethylene (RLDPE); Fillers; Glass, Talc; Weathering condition; Sunlight; and Mechanical properties; Tensile strength, Impact and hardness

Download Full-text

Comparing the Effect of Fillers on the Mechanical Properties of Recycled Low Density Polyethylene Composites Under Non-Weathered and Weathered Conditions

European Journal of Engineering Research and Science ◽

10.24018/ejers.2018.3.5.707 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (5) ◽

pp. 17 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Olutosin O. Ilori ◽

Ibiyemi A. Idowu ◽

Kehinde M. Adeleke

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Pure Water ◽

Mechanical Tests ◽

Low Density Polyethylene ◽

Low Density ◽

Dump Site ◽

Plastic Bags ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Recycled Low Density Polyethylene ◽

Polyethylene Composites

This work compared the effect of fillers on the mechanical properties of recycled low-density polyethylene composites under non-weathered and weathered conditions. Pure water sachet wastes, glass wastes were sourced from dump-site at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, while the talc was sourced from Lagere, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Recycling of plastic bags (low-density polyethylene) and the preparation of recycled low-density polyethylene (RLDPE)/glass, RLDPE/ talc and RLDPE/glass/talc composites were carried out using a furnace at compositions of 0 to 40% in steps of 10% by weight. The mixtures were then poured into hand-laid mould for tensile, impact and hardness tests. The samples were divided into two groups; one group was subjected to natural weathering conditions. The results of mechanical tests carried out were subjected to a paired t-test. The study concluded that there was no significant difference between the non-weathered and weathered samples. This implies that both talc and glass were able to reinforce recycled low density polyethylene (RLDPE) under both conditions and can help resist degradation.

Download Full-text