Enhanced mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of waste PET plastics reinforced with coated biodegradable kenaf fibers for infrastructure applications.

Owen, Macaulay M.; Wong, Leong Sing; Achukwu, Emmanuel O.; Saharudin, Mohd Shahneel; Akil, Hazizan Md

Abstract

The surge in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle production has led to a rise in waste PET plastics. Recycling these waste PET plastics for infrastructural purposes offers a feasible solution to curb environmental pollution and the climatic impact caused by dumping vast quantities into landfills. Hence, efforts have been directed towards creating waste PET plastic composites reinforced with coated biodegradable natural kenaf fibers for infrastructural use. In the current research, waste PET plastic bottles (WPET) were processed into value-added composites compounded with coated kenaf natural fibers (CK) using the twin-screw extruder (TSE) and compression molding machines at an optimized temperature of 250°C with a constant fiber weight percentage and epoxy coating concentration of 10wt% and 25% conc., respectively. The composites underwent analysis for mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties based on relevant ASTM standards. Results indicate significant enhancement in surface interactions/interface and improved mechanical and thermal properties of kenaf fibers due to epoxy coating. Thermal stability improved to 409.4°C from 397.0°C due to coating, with a higher melting peak of 252.8°C. These materials exhibit suitability for energy and building infrastructural applications, presenting an alternative, economical, and sustainable approach to managing the abundance of waste PET plastic bottles.

Citation

OWEN, M.M., WONG, L.S., ACHUKWU, E.O., SAHARUDIN, M.S. and AKIL, H.M. 2024. Enhanced mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of waste PET plastics reinforced with coated biodegradable kenaf fibers for infrastructure applications. Construction and building materials [online], 442, article number 137659. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137659

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 26, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 31, 2024
• Publication Date: Sep 6, 2024
• Deposit Date: Aug 2, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 1, 2025
• Journal: Construction and building materials
• Print ISSN: 0950-0618
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-0526
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 442
• Article Number: 137659
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137659
• Keywords: Coated kenaf fiber; Composites; Waste PET plastic bottles; Infrastructures; Thermal and mechanical properties
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2423304