Upcycling of waste polyethylene and cement kiln dust to produce polymeric composite sheets using gamma irradiation

Abstract

Cement kiln dust (CKD) is a residue produced during the manufacture of cement that contains hazardous solid waste of high toxicity that affects the environment and public health. In this study, the possibility of using CKD as a filler in the plastic and rubber industry was studied. The effect of CKD concentration and gamma irradiation dose on the mechanical and physico-chemical properties of the composite containing waste polyethylene/devulcanized rubber/EPDM rubber (named blank) was investigated. Different concentrations of CKD, namely 10, 15, 20, and 30 phr (part per hundred part of composite), were used. The results indicated that this composite (blended with CKD) properties were improved. The most significant improvement was achieved by using CKD concentration of 20 phr at the dose of 100 kGy of gamma irradiation. These findings were demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]