RECYCLABILITY ANALYSIS OF GREEN COMPOSITES

Abstract

With increase in demand for greener technologies, world is moving rapidly towards the development of non-toxic and eco-friendly materials. It has been noticed in recent years that there is a tremendous increase in the development of natural fibre based composite materials due to their attractive properties such as, low cost, lightweight, recyclability, biodegradability, acceptable mechanical properties, avoidance of health and ecological problems and easy availability of constituents. These properties make green composites as an ideal material for sustainable prefabricated housing. These materials can provide resiliency against seismic risk in mountainous regions of India. They can be also be used for providing shelter during rescue from disaster and mass gatherings like Kumbh. During manufacturing and processing of green composites, lots of industrial waste is generated as well as waste is generated after the end of useful life that needs to be taken care. Recycling process of polymers is being increasingly used in order to minimize environmental pollution, reduction in manufacturing cost, energy conservation and material resource conservation. Therefore, the use of high performance materials based on natural resources, mainly composite materials is increasing worldwide. The recycling of these types of material is required to prevent disturbances in ecological system. Therefore, the present experimental investigation explores the recyclability behaviour of banana fibre reinforced polymer matrix (PLA and PP) composites. The eco-friendly chemical treatment is also explored here to modify fibre surface in order to improve mechanical properties. Green composites were developed by using extrusion and injection moulding process. The performance of the recycled green composites on multiple extrusion (up to five cycles) was assessed in terms of their mechanical behaviour like tensile and flexural strength, thermal behaviour and morphological behaviour. Mechanical properties remained unaffected after recycling. Finally, it can be asserted that recyclability analysis or recycling is a better alternative for modern waste reduction and the recycled material can be used effectively which will reduce the initial cost of new raw material to be used for manufacturing green composite products.