Physical, Mechanical and Fire Properties of Thermoplastic Composites Produced from Recycled Plastic Matrices and Filled with Lignocellulosic Residues: A Review
- The Journal Of Solid Waste Technology and Management, 43(2), p.102-111, 2017 .
Recycled plastic matrices and lignocellulosic residues are currently used to produce thermoplastic composites on a commercial scale. Nevertheless, some of the effects of these residues are unknown or not completely understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using recycled plastic matrices and incorporating lignocellulosic residues into thermoplastic composites on their mechanical properties, water absorption, discolouration, oxidation and flammability. The method used consisted of a review of scientific papers, prioritising studies published after the year 2000. Papers were grouped by the type of composite analysed (produced from recycled plastic matrices and filled with lignocellulosic residues)as well as the properties studied. The analysed studies indicate that plastic waste is a promising source of raw material for thermoplastic composite production as it imparts with respect to several properties (such as flexural and tensile strength and stability against discoloration)the same performance achieved by virgin plastic-based composites. On the other hand, increasing the composites' lignocellulosic filler content tends to improve their stability against oxidation, for example, but appears to decrease their time to ignition, which in turn is of major interest because such materials are currently used as building components.