New composite materials using polyester woven fabric scrapsas reinforcement and thermoplastic matrix

In this study, polypropylene-based thermoformed composites have been obtained using polyester woven fabric scraps as reinforcement. Four types of matrix have been used for the experiments: biaxially oriented polypropylene bag waste (BOPP), polypropylene nonwoven waste (TNT), 50/50 BOPP/TNT waste and virgin polypropylene fibres (PP). The percentage of matrix has been varied at four levels: 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. The effect of matrix/reinforcement mass ratio and matrix type on the mechanical properties of composite materials has been studied. Since the composite materials are intended to replace the oriented strand boards (OSB) in construction and furniture applications, comparison with the characteristics of 8 mm OSB has been made.