Upcycling of Waste Polyethylene and Cement Kiln Dust to Produce Polymeric Composite Sheets Using Gamma Irradiation

Abstract

Cement kiln dust (CKD) is a residue produced during the manufacture of cement that contains hazardous solid waste of high toxicity that affects the environment and public health. In this study, the possibility of using cement waste as a filler in the plastic and rubber industry was studied. Different concentrations of (CKD) and gamma irradiation on the mechanical, thermal stability of the prepared composites sheets were investigated. Different concentrations of (CKD) 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, and 40 wt % were prepared with double screw extrusion by mixing waste polyethylene (WPE), de-vulcanized rubber (DWR), and EPDM rubber. These prepared composites were irradiated with doses 25, 50, 75, 100, and 150 kGy to study the effect of radiation on the physical, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the prepared composite sheets. The prepared composite sheets were characterized and verified by FTIR and soluble fractions. The morphology of the composite sheets was investigated by SEM. Mechanical and thermal properties were investigated to evaluate the possibility of its application in the plastic and rubber industry.