Eco-friendly Sandwich Panel Based on Recycled Bottle Caps Core and Natural Fibre Composite Facings

Abstract

This is the first attempt to combine disposed bottle caps and natural fibres into sandwich panels. A full factorial design is performed to identify the effects of the skin type (aluminium or coir fibre reinforced laminates) and bottle cap core packing (cubic and orthotropic) on the mechanical properties of the proposed panels. The coir fibre composite skin provides maximum core shear strength, 29 % higher than the aluminium-based panels, in cubic packing, while the flexural modulus is reduced by 45 %. An interlocking effect between the skin and the core is evidenced when coir fibre composites are used. In addition, the cubic cell packing increases the specific mechanical properties, even though with a higher density. The results highlight a promising association of green components and plastic bottle caps for secondary structural applications.

Sustainable Sandwich Panels Made of Aluminium Skins and Bamboo Rings

“…Figure 4 shows a typical stress versus strain curve. This behaviour, also observed by 42,43 , corresponds to an aluminium casting alloy with additions that lead to less mechanical strength and stiffness, but greater elongation. The compressive moduli of both diameters are similar.…”

Review of literature on eco-friendly sandwich structures made of non-wood cellulose fibers

“…Mauricio et al [211] considered a method of replacing conventional walls (Figure 12) in the buildings with light, stiff, durable, and eco-friendly sandwich walls made a balsa core and a coconut-veneer (Figure 13). Oliveira et al [212] proposed a new idea for eco-friendly sandwich structures with recycled bottle caps in the core and coir fiber–reinforced composite or aluminum in the face sheets.

Figure 12.Overbalanced brick masonry recorded during the 2016 Ecuador earthquake that occurred on April 16 [211].

Figure 13.Sandwich-like structure wall panel made of Ecuadorian balsa lightweight core and coconut bidirectional external veneers [211].

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“…In addition to using natural fibers, one of the ways to reduce environmental pollution is to use waste materials in engineering structures. Sandwich structures are among those components in which waste materials such as used vehicle tires [142,143], bottle caps [212,267], waste cords [268], headlamp and seat waste [269], packaging wastes [270] can be used well, especially as their core which does not require significant stiffness (see Figure 23). Therefore, it is suggested to focus on manufacturing and analyzing the behavior of sandwich panels with natural fibers in the face sheets and waste materials in the core.

Figure 23.(a) Manufacturing mold, (b) caps attached to first face sheet, and (c) manufactured T-peel sample [267].

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“…Mauricio et al [211] considered a method of replacing conventional walls (Figure 12) in the buildings with light, stiff, durable, and eco-friendly sandwich walls made a balsa core and a coconut-veneer (Figure 13). Oliveira et al [212] proposed a new idea for eco-friendly sandwich structures with recycled bottle caps in the core and coir fiber-reinforced composite or aluminum in the face sheets.…”

Characteristics of Mechanical Strength of Hybrid Reinforced Plastic Waste Mixed with Wood Waste

“…The low biodegradability of plastic has always been its major drawback. Therefore, recycling is the best treatment for plastic waste these days, and it entirely sustains mankind and the environment [13]. Plastic waste offers a lot of potential for creating new products with extraordinary added value.…”