Effectiveness of recycled nylon fiber from waste fishing net with respect to fiber reinforced mortar

This paper discusses the utilization of recycle waste fishing nets in fiber reinforced mortar. Experimental test results compared the mechanical properties of such mortar made with recycled nylon fiber to those of such mortar made with recycled PET and PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) short fibers. The recycled nylon (R-Nylon) fibers were obtained by manually cutting of waste fishing nets to the lengths of 20 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm. Two types of R-Nylon fibers were investigated that are straight and knotted types. The addition of straight R-Nylon fiber improved the flexural strength up to 41% in comparison with that of the knotted R-Nylon, recycled PET, and PVA fibers. The compressive strength of the mortar with R-Nylon fiber decreased with increase in fiber fraction and length. The post peak load, toughness and residual strength depended on the properties of fiber such as Young's modulus, tensile strength, and geometry as well as the bond strength between fiber and matrix.