Chemical Engineering Analysis of Polymer Composite Creation Using Sawdust, Sharp

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is known for its general adoption for its lightweight and flexibility and durability nature. It is non-biodegradable and contributes majorly to water and land pollution. The amount of plastic-generated waste is increasing extensively following its usefulness there and the inability of users to properly dump or recycle it has resulted in a big threat to the environment. In this research work an attempt has been made to utilize PET waste plastic in manufacturing fiber-reinforced polymer composite by combining sawdust which is another waste product from woodwork operations and sand, a major component in construction, whose use is greatly threatening the ecosystem. The fiber-reinforced polymers composite was combined in ratios 0:0:10, 0:1:9, 1:1:8, 1:2:7, and 1:3:6. These ratios determined the weight percent of each component. The different ratios have been studied and discovered that the density of the fiber-reinforced polymer composites reduced from 1.38g/cm3 to 1.0676g/cm3 as the ratio of PET was reduced in the composite and sawdust was increased. 0.3147 to 5.53 and the compressive strength from 1.792 to 3.689 N/mm2 was the estimated percentage of water adsorption that was observed in the process. PET plastic was used as a resin matrix in producing fiber-reinforced polymer composite and sawdust was applied as biofillers or natural (green) fibers. This method has been considered a very good alternative to conservative clay bricks to plastic waste for the actualization of a healthy environment and healthy living as well.