Recent Developments in Polymer Consolidated Composites

Abstract

Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are used extensively in industry, varying from high performance structural composites used in the aerospace industry, to products such as insulation boards used in the construction industry. At either end of this spectrum, the matrix could be regarded to have a different functionality. In high performance composites, the polymer forms a continuous phase around the reinforcement, whereas, in products such as particle boards, the matrix may no longer be continuous. Therefore, PMCs could be considered to be divided into continuous polymer matrix composites (CPMCs) and polymer consolidated composites (PCCs), the latter referring to where commonly the matrix might be regarded as simply a binder. Although the field of PMCs is well established, this has commonly not been extended to PCCs. This paper evaluates recent literature on materials used in PCCs, the factors that influence their behavior and how they can be defined as a subset of PMCs.

Characterization of a polymer composite from treated kaolin and unsaturated polyester based on PET waste

“…This is in good agreement with Boeing et al who reported that excess monomer results in shrinkage of exothermic temperatures which are untenable. It is also reported that, there is an optimum content of monomer beyond which important properties of the cured product values decrease rapidly . Depending on these results, the ratio 60:40 wt% was kept constant throughout this study.…”

“…Particle characteristics such as particle size, size distribution, and geometric arrangement of the fillers in the polymer matrix, density, and porosity influence the mechanical properties of polymeric composites . The effect of thermally or chemically treated kaolin on the compressive strength values of the polymeric composites are listed in Table .…”

Calendered linear low‐density polyethylene consolidated meat and bone meal composites

“…The particulates are mainly cellulosic materials, e.g., wood flour, wheat stalk, sugar cane bagasse, and cornhusks . The adhesives/binders used for such composites are mainly thermosetting resins that include urea‐formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, and diphenyl diisocyanate . However, use of such thermosets possess a risk of potential harmful formaldehyde emissions, limited recyclability and processing …”

“…[10][11][12] The adhesives/binders used for such composites are mainly thermosetting resins that include urea-formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, and diphenyl diisocyanate. 13 However, use of such thermosets possess a risk of potential harmful formaldehyde emissions, limited recyclability and processing. 13 Other bio-particulates of non-cellulosic origin such as egg shells, chicken feathers, sea weed, and waste shell fish have been incorporated as fillers into synthetic polymers at fractions usually <30 wt %.…”

“…13 However, use of such thermosets possess a risk of potential harmful formaldehyde emissions, limited recyclability and processing. 13 Other bio-particulates of non-cellulosic origin such as egg shells, chicken feathers, sea weed, and waste shell fish have been incorporated as fillers into synthetic polymers at fractions usually <30 wt %. 8,[14][15][16] Studies have been conducted with a low concentration of MBM as a filler in high-density polyethylene.…”