The impact of recycled raw materials on the properties of wood-plastic composites
Keskisaari, Anna (2017-10-27)
Väitöskirja
27.10.2017
Lappeenranta University of Technology
Acta Universitatis Lappeenrantaensis
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-335-154-7
http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-335-154-7
Tiivistelmä
The trend for a more sustainable style of living, the tightening legislation of waste treatment, depletion of natural resources, and the increasing amount of waste have created a good inducement for manufacturing wood-plastic composites from different recycled materials.
The main aim of this thesis was to study how different recycled raw materials affect the properties and profitability of wood-plastic composites. Materials from construction and demolition industry and mining and packaging industry were used as fillers or as strengthening fibers. In another case, plastic materials from construction and demolition industry and from municipalities were used as the matrix. Some composites manufactured from different recycled materials were selected for comparing their costs to a composite manufactured from virgin materials. Mechanical and moisture resistance tests were carried out to evaluate the properties of the composites.
The use of recycled material improved some properties and weakened some others. Construction and mining waste improved the moisture resistance, packaging waste improved the impact strength, and plastic waste decreased the price of the composite. There was no composite where all features were improved. The change of the properties was highly dependent on the materials used. The price of the composite decreased in all cases except one, when recycled raw materials were used, and even significantly when recycled plastic was used.
The results of the study showed that it is possible to use recycled raw materials as a part of wood-plastic composites. The lower price and some improved properties encourage using recycled materials, when the features of the composite are understood. Due to the tightening legislation, there will be more material available for wood-plastic composites in the future. Reusing materials in wood-plastic composites will reduce the use of virgin materials.
The main aim of this thesis was to study how different recycled raw materials affect the properties and profitability of wood-plastic composites. Materials from construction and demolition industry and mining and packaging industry were used as fillers or as strengthening fibers. In another case, plastic materials from construction and demolition industry and from municipalities were used as the matrix. Some composites manufactured from different recycled materials were selected for comparing their costs to a composite manufactured from virgin materials. Mechanical and moisture resistance tests were carried out to evaluate the properties of the composites.
The use of recycled material improved some properties and weakened some others. Construction and mining waste improved the moisture resistance, packaging waste improved the impact strength, and plastic waste decreased the price of the composite. There was no composite where all features were improved. The change of the properties was highly dependent on the materials used. The price of the composite decreased in all cases except one, when recycled raw materials were used, and even significantly when recycled plastic was used.
The results of the study showed that it is possible to use recycled raw materials as a part of wood-plastic composites. The lower price and some improved properties encourage using recycled materials, when the features of the composite are understood. Due to the tightening legislation, there will be more material available for wood-plastic composites in the future. Reusing materials in wood-plastic composites will reduce the use of virgin materials.
Kokoelmat
- Väitöskirjat [769]