One of the most effective ways to manage post-consumer PET waste is through recycling, significantly reducing its environmental impact. By repurposing recycled PET as an alternative material in construction, we not only address environmental pollution but also contribute to producing cost-effective construction materials. This dual benefit underscores the importance of our research in the context of sustainable materials and construction technologies. Composite materials have long been effective substitutes for conventional materials in various applications. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites stand out for their high strength-to-weight ratio and modulus. This study further explores the potential of coir, a natural fiber, as a recycled PET matrix reinforcement. Such a composite could pave the way for more sustainable and cost-effective construction materials. The objective is to study the mechanical properties of the coir-reinforced recycled PET composite. The coir fibers were treated with distilled hot water before being incorporated into the recycled PET matrix. The composite was fabricated using compression molding with varying fiber-to-matrix ratios of randomly oriented fiber at 90-10 weight %, 80-20 weight %, and 70-30 weight %, respectively. The study employs analysis using SEM imaging, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and tensile testing to understand the composite's physical structure, chemical composition, and mechanical behavior. Morphological examinations reveal the interaction between coconut fiber and PET, shedding light on their compatibility and potential for reinforcement. Adding fiber improved mechanical properties like tensile strength and elongation at break. The amount of fiber in the composite's total weight exhibited different mechanical properties. FTIR analysis elucidates the composite's chemical composition, highlighting the influence of coconut fiber, rPET, and processing conditions.

Creator

• Agyeman Boateng, Enis

Contributeurs

• soboyejo, Winston
• Sagna, Mahamadou
• Achirri, Ismael
• Krueger, Robert

Degree

• MS

Unit

• Social Science & Policy Studies

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• etd-122120

Mot-clé

• Plastic-coconut fiber composite
• Waste reduction
• Materials science
• International development
• Circular economy
• Sustainable building materials

Advisor

• Krueger, Robert
• soboyejo, Winston

Committee

• Achirri, Ismael
• Sagna, Mahamadou

Defense date

• 2024-04-30

Year

• 2024

Date created

• 2024-04-30

Resource type

• Thesis

Source

• etd-122120

Rights statement

• In Copyright