Papers by Keyword: PET

Abstract: Poly (ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF) is a bio-based polyester that is the subject of growing interest as a potential alternative to Poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for sustainable packaging. Its excellent gas-barrier properties and reduced carbon footprint make it a promising candidate, but its use at industrial scale requires a solid understanding of how temperature and thermal history affect its mechanical and viscoelastic behavior. In this study, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMA), and optical microscopy were used to characterize the thermal transitions and crystallization behavior of PEF, compared with PET and recycled PET (rPET). DSC results show that thermal crystallization of PEF proceeds very slowly, a result confirmed by in-situ microscopy. DMA measurements provide complementary information on the evolution of both storage and loss moduli with temperature, highlighting its dependence on crystallinity and thermal history. Together, these thermal and mechanical analyses clarify how PEF’s crystallization behavior affects its thermo-mechanical response. From a processing perspective, the very slow thermal crystallization of PEF is advantageous for stretch blow molding (SBM) process of bottles, as the polymer remains essentially amorphous during heating and crystallizes predominantly under deformation during the fast forming stage.

Abstract: In this paper, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers were blended with a biodegradable polymer, poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) was investigated in this study. The melt-spinning process produced PET/PBS fibers at the different PBS contents in the PET matrix. We evaluate the effectiveness of the dyeability of PBS contents in PET fibers. The yellow organic dye (Turmeric extract) was used as a coloring agent. The spectrophotometer results show that the dye absorption of the fiber increased with PBS contents. The SEM images confirm the relationship between the dye coating on the fiber and PBS contents in the PET matrix. This indicates that the PBS can act as a compatibilizer or modifier to improve dye penetration and fixation in PET/PBS fibers.

Abstract: Building Envelope is considered to be the main influencing part of heat transfer into the inner space of the building, as a result the amount of heat transferred into indoors affects the consumption of electrical energy for air conditioning systems. Usually, the Envelope of the building consists of two main components i.e opaque and transparent parts, the opaque part in most buildings consist of bricks, outer and inner plaster layers. This main objective of this research paper is to produce a light weight mortar using plastic bottles waste that is Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by replacing different proportions of both sand and cement in a separate way, then making an evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of the modified mortar samples. In this paper we have measured coefficient of thermal conductivity, density and compressive strength. The paper shows that an apparent decrease in the values of thermal conductivity coefficient (k) by a percentage of (50%) to (60%) compared to an ordinary mortar.

Abstract: The increase in the production and utilization of plastics has created a never-ending problem of plastic waste. Developing countries face challenges with plastic waste disposal that in due process negatively impacts the environmental ecosystem. That notwithstanding, it suffices to mention that most developing countries have poor road networks that pose a burden towards smooth economic and social development. The problem is further exacerbated by the limited availability of bitumen which is usually imported but also has environmental concerns. It is against this background that we proposed alternative binders from plastic waste which can help developing countries to manage plastic waste as well as build road networks, thereby leading to sustainable development. We explored the 80/100 penetration grade bitumen modification (Penetration grade 85 and Softening temperature 46°C) using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste (2 – 12%) and lignin (0.2%) as a crosslinking agent by weight for every PET waste – Bitumen sample. The research showed that Plastic waste and lignin improved the performance of bitumen. The modified bitumen with 10% waste PET and 0.2% lignin enhanced the softening point and penetration points to 55°C and 46, respectively; hence the incorporation of PET and lignin provided better properties compared to the neat bitumen.

Abstract: Waste from plastic products can be considered complex materials, making recycling a challenge. PET and LDPE are common type of plastic that is easily found in garbage pile. This research was conducted to study the potential of plastic waste conversion into solid fuel to reduce the accumulation of this waste in the environment. The conversion method is to use an extruder. An economic analysis was performed to measure the feasibility of this recycling method. PET and LDPE plastic waste were recycled into pellets using simple heated-extruder equipment after being shredded into small flakes. The extruder temperature was varied at 120^OC, 130^OC, 140^OC, 150^OC, 160^OC, and 180^OC. The optimum temperature for LDPE pellets is 120^OC, and PET pellets is 130^OC. The highest density LDPE pellets is 966.7 kg/m³, and PET pellets is 1320 kg/m³. The highest compressive strength LDPE pellets is 1041.1 kg/m², and PET pellets is 615.2 kg/m². The calorific value of the recycled LDPE and PET pellets is 43.52 mJ/kg and 27.26 mJ/kg, respectively. The moisture value in each plastic pellet did not change significantly by temperature difference. Meanwhile, the economic feasibility analysis shows an NPV of Rp4,394,049,079; IRR of 25.18%; B/CR of 1.465; and PP of 5.95 years.

Abstract: Poly(lactic acid) or PLA is one of the most important biodegradable plastics that replaces petroleum-based plastics for transparent disposable packaging. For circular economy, the accumulated PLA waste is required to recycle to produce high-quality recycled PLA grades. This research was aimed to simulate the influence of PET contamination (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 wt%) on properties of the recycled PLA. Two grades of PLA; extrusion and injection molding, were used, and two temperature conditions (180 and 250°C) were used to evaluate the influence of mechanical recycling condition. Mechanical and thermal properties of the recycled PLA were investigated using tensile and impact testing, and differential scanning calorimeter, respectively. It was found that the mechanical recycling at 180°C produced the transparent specimens having unmolten white PET defects, which the mechanical properties were still intact with the PET contamination up to 1 wt%. The mechanical recycling at 250°C produced the opaque specimens with significantly lower mechanical properties due to the chain scission of PLA molecules, and the impact strength was slightly improved due to transesterification. The results could be used to emphasize the importance of the sorting step that the PLA recycling process should be performed with the PET contamination less than 1 wt%.

Abstract: Concrete is unquestionably the most desirable construction material, but, like any coin, italso has a negative side. In one way or another, the raw materials used in the production of concretehave a negative impact on the environment. Cement production releases carbon dioxide into theatmosphere, while aggregate production releases dust. The geology of the region where coarseaggregates were mined is also influenced by their extraction. Natural fine aggregates were replacedwith polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in this analysis. PET Plastic aggregates wereproduced by little cutting of waste plastic bottle. Plastic is the most serious environmental problem,and it is having a rapid effect. Shredded waste plastic was used in concrete as a partial substitute fortraditional fine aggregate at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight. The aim of this research wasto determine the compressive strength, microstructure of concrete, and the interfacial transition zoneof concrete (ITZ). The concrete with 5% fine aggregate replacement showed a possible outcome of21 MPa compressive strength, the control mix had the lowest percentage of 1.3 percent, and theconcrete with 20% PET plastic had the highest percentage of 9.8 percent. It can be concluded thatrecycled plastic aggregates can be used to replace fine aggregate in concrete up to 5% of thereplacement and can be used in non-load bearing structures where lightweight materials arepreferred

Abstract: In this paper, trap levels around the glass transition temperature (T_g) of polymers have been characterized using Thermally Stimulated Current (TSC) technique. Deconvolution on α-peaks of the T_g for PE (-104 °C), plasticized PVC (-35 °C), PMMA (90 °C) and PET (96 °C) were carried out based on the first-order kinetic theory for non-Debye relaxation. Using temperature, T from TSC experimental data, we have successfully separated the α-peaks of the thermoplastic polymers. It is found that the complex curve of α-peaks can composed of four (4) to eight (8) sub peaks. Dominant sub peaks were identified at T_max = -105 °C, -34 °C, 89 °C and 92 °C for PE, pPVC, PMMA and PET, respectively. These peaks show activation energy, E_a of shallow and deep trap centers ranged from 0.3 eV to 4.6 Ev where they represent the depolarization of localized dipoles and space charges relaxations in the polymers.

Abstract: The search for sustainable materials has been increasingly growing due to the world environmental impacts faced. With the improper disposal of PET packaging and the waste generated by steel making, such as slag, a composite of these materials was created in search of a sustainable product. The composite has as its matrix the polymer and its particles are geopolymeric of the steel slag. The polymer composites were manufactured with concentrations of 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of geopolymer. The characterizations showed that they are composites with low moisture absorption and that the affinity between the matrix and the reinforcement is impaired as the amount of charge increases. It was possible to realize that composites are good materials for future studies for possible future applications, such as ballistic vests. Composites are great precursors for achieving product sustainability due to the feasibility of reusing waste and disposing of it improperly in the environment.

Abstract: The wall thickness of plastic bottle is a major consideration for engineers in designing products with strength. For injection blow molding, the thickness depends on the preform size, and shape of the required product. The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is injected in a mold with the shape of the preform. A stretch injection blow molding machine is used for processing the preform to the shape of the bottle. This research applied finite-element analysis for the process simulation; started from applying the air pressure inside the heated perform – until the PET expanded to the required bottle shape. While most studies were interested in axis-symmetry shape, this paper concentrated on a bottle with uniform flat wall thickness on four sides of a squared section bottle. Several finite-element models were studied and compared the simulation efficiency. Under the investigated area of ±15 mm x 90 mm, the thickness deviation found to be within 3.573%.