Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2002

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Committee Chair

P. V. Vijay

Committee Co-Chair

Hota GangaRao.

Abstract

The research focuses on the evaluation of mechanical properties (tension, bending, compression, impact, hardness and creep) of recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) thermoplastics obtained as electronic shredder residue (ESR) from computer housings. Three forms of polymers, i.e., virgin, blend of virgin and recycled, and 100% recycled were investigated to establish their long term mechanical properties. Chopped and continuous glass fiber/fabric addition to the resins was evaluated to study the thermo-mechanical properties.;Mechanical characterization was carried out at freeze-thaw cycling aging. It was found that recycled polymers retain at least 70% of their tensile, bending and compressive strength after 18 months of aging under harsh environment (60 years in practice).;Offset block modules for highway guardrail systems were manufactured with recycled ABS and discarded rubber tires. Reinforced recycled plastic shapes were evaluated as possible post and rail for highway guardrail systems. Channel, trapezoidal, and box sections, and flat sheets made of recycled polypropylene (PP) and ABS were tested in tension, compression and bending.;Based on the manufacturing of laboratory specimens and test results, it is concluded that recycled polymers have significant potential for high-volume infrastructure and automotive applications.

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