Physical and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resin matrix from recycled PET (based PG) with corn straw fiber

Abstract

In this study, composites of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), synthesized from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), with 10 to 40% in volume of corn straw fiber (CSF), were elaborated and studied the effect of fiber content on their physical and mechanical properties. The content of cellulose (48.97%), hemicellulose (24.06%), and lignin (6.59%) were determined by chemical characterization of CSF. The characteristic bonds of the UPR were identified as a cross‐linking network between the styrene monomer (ST) and the unsaturated polyester (UP) through FTIR. Two decomposition stages were observed by TGA–DTG. The results of physical and mechanical properties showed that as the fiber content increased in the UPR, the water absorption increased (0.6% to 2.56%), on the other hand, the density (1218.23 to 1150.28 kg/m3), flexural strength (50.58 to 26.98 MPa), flexural modulus (2.66 to 2.29 GPa), tensile strength (8.62 to 3.65 MPa), tensile modulus (1.18 to 0.43 GPa), and hardness (81.67 to 65.67 Shore D), they decreased. SEM analysis showed some defects in the fiber distribution in the UPR, which affected the mechanical properties of the composites. This research contributes to the development of new material from use of two waste materials for the benefit of the environment.

The Evolution and Future Trends of Unsaturated Polyester Biocomposites: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…A recent example is the addition of itaconic acid, ethylene glycol, and oxalic acid, which improves the mechanical and thermal properties, such as the glass transition temperature of the neat matrix [66]. On other occasions, this strategy used monomers obtained from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) instead, which promotes the reuse of polymer waste [67]. A third method involves creating a matrix formed by mixing UPR and epoxidized vegetable oil, such as epoxidized soybean oil acrylate [68] or glycol-based block copolymers [63].…”

“…The fabrication of automotive interior applications [2] was the most-documented application, appearing in 12 works, half of which were published between 2017 and July 2022. Interior construction and furniture are other important sectors in which UPR biocomposites have been considered for application [67,103,115]. For example, new products can be developed as lightweight and mechanically strong materials for earthquake-resistant wall panels [116] or marine transport applications [117], and as round rods used for insulating material applications.…”

“…Increasing the use of bio-based matrices in the production of UPR biocomposites. Some of the research cited in this study [67,68,120] have investigated this line of inquiry, but it has the potential to grow in the next years, especially given the alternative of inserting natural components during UPR polymerization. Alternatives have been studied further in various polymer matrices [14], as well as in other thermo-set matrices, such as the bio-based epoxy resin [121].…”

Thermostable ZnO/Ag@SiO2 nanohybrid material for extraordinary antibacterial activity polyester fibers

“…24,25 The dispersion of antibacterial nanoparticles in fiber will affect its spinnability and mechanical properties. 26,27 More research needs to be done on the production of antibacterial PET fibers utilizing the melt spinning technique. Consequently, there is a lot of potential for applying this technology.…”

“…However, the antibacterial agent is not evenly dispersed in the fibers 24,25 . The dispersion of antibacterial nanoparticles in fiber will affect its spinnability and mechanical properties 26,27 . More research needs to be done on the production of antibacterial PET fibers utilizing the melt spinning technique.…”