New composites based on waste PET and non-metallic fraction from waste printed circuit boards: Mechanical and thermal properties

Influence of the addition of three different non-metallic fractions (NMF), obtained by processing of printed circuit boards (PCBs), on the mechanical and thermal properties of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) based composites were studied in this paper. UPR, based on products of PET depolymerization, and NMF were characterized using FTIR, NMR, optical microscopy and SEM/EDS analysis. Cross-linking density (ν), storage modulus (G′), damping factor (tanδ) and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the composites were determined from the DMA testing. Tensile (σt) and flexural (σf) strength, and micro Vickers hardness indicated good composite performance under static load. Thermal and flame resistant properties were analyzed by TGA/DTG and UL-94 flammability test whereby V-2 category of appropriate composite was achieved. Composites with satisfactory mechanical and thermal properties reflected synergetic effect of constituents obtained from waste materials.