MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF COMPOSITES MATERIALS PREPARED FROM WASTE PLASTICS AND TUBED TYRE

Abstract

The management and safe disposal of used tyres have always been a considerable challenge from the economic and processing standpoints. Hence, this study prepared composites by combining recycled high-density-polyethylene (rHDPE) with ground butylrubber (bR); which is a material commonly used in the production of tubed-tyres. The bR-rHDPE composites of different bR content with or without the addition of bitumen were produced via melt-mixing in an internal mixer. The impact resistance and mechanical properties of each composite were evaluated using (i) Charpy impact, (ii) drop-weight and (iii) tensile testings. Impact tests show a significant improvement in impact resistance. However, the addition of bR and bitumen adversely affected the tensile properties of the composites. The results indicate that the bR-rHDPE composites performed better with a higher content of bR, and the impact resistance further improved with the addition of bitumen. The obtained property suggests that this composite could be used to manufacture playground tiles, vehicles wheel chocks, door stops and wedges, rubber speed bumpers, etc. The promising impact resistance of bR-rHDPE+bitumen composites coupled with viable processing methods have provided a sustainable solution for the disposal of tubed tyre.