Influence of non‐metallic fraction of printed circuit boards waste on recycled polyvinyl chloride from waste wires

Abstract

Recycling of electric and electronic equipment is an emerging global issue in order to decrease the high amount of waste deposited on landfill or incinerated, and thus reducing the environmental pollution. Different strategies of eliminating this waste can be applied. In this paper, the non‐metallic fraction of printed circuit boards, due to the contained amount of glass fiber and rigid epoxy matrix, are considered suitable for valorization as reinforcing filler for polyvinyl chloride recovered from the insulation of equipment cables. The composites containing up to 30% filler are characterized in terms of structural, morphological, thermal, dielectric, mechanical and dynamic‐mechanical properties. Physical interactions are established between the components. Good homogeneity of composites at small dosages of filler is proven, and thus the mechanical and dynamic‐mechanical properties present increased or unchanged values compared with the polymeric matrix. At higher amounts of waste powder, some defects and agglomerates are observed and correlated with decreased values of the main tensile characteristics. Based on the physical‐mechanical and dielectric characterization, the paper shows that reinforced recycled polyvinyl chloride composites with 15%–20% non‐metallic fraction of printed circuit boards waste present suitable properties for reuse the polymer in different technical applications, mainly as insulating technical materials.

High Value-Added Reutilization of Waste-Printed Circuit Boards Non-Metallic Components in Sustainable Polymer Composites

“…Similarly, the WPCB non-metals have been utilized in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) [111][112][113]. Grigorescu et al demonstrated that a 15-20% non-metallic fraction of WPCB can endow the recycled PVC with properties suitable for reuse as an insulating technical material [114]. Wang et al found that the diameter and contents of glass fiber recovered from WPCB determined the tensile and bending strengths of as-prepared PVC composites [115].…”

A Brief Review of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Recycling

“…Recycled cable insulation materials are difficult to recycle into insulation due to the technical requirements for these materials. The material can be processed into other technical products, including composites with recycled fillers [ 74 , 75 , 76 ]. Shredded cable insulation is also an additive to cement and bituminous masses [ 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 ].…”

The Development of Environmentally Sustainable Poly(vinyl chloride) Composite from Waste Non-Metallic Printed Circuit Board with Interfacial Agents

“…Previous studies by R.M. Grigorescu et al illustrated the incorporation of NMPCB from 0 wt.% to 30 wt.% in recycled PVC (wire grade) using the solvent casting method [23]. Rajesha K Das et al showed that poor mechanical properties were obtained in NM-PCB/recycled PVC (wire grade)-a result of poor compatibility [24].…”