Mechanical and flammability properties of hybrid recycled newspaper/sepiolite polypropylene composites

Abstract

The goals of this study are to determine the effect of recycled newspaper (RNP) and sepiolite ratio on physical and mechanical properties and flammability properties of RNP/PP composites and RNP/Sepiolite PP composites respectively. In this research, RNP was collected from old newspaper piles and treated in laboratory. After that, it was being soaked with NaOH solution to remove impurities from it. Later, it was being dried in oven to remove moisture and was ground to get fine particles of RNP. Sepiolite was used as filler and can also work as flame retardant. PP composite was prepared by mixing PP pellets, RNP, Maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) for the first stage. In the second stage, sepiolite was added into the formulation. After mixing, it was molded by hot pressing sample preparation. The properties of composites such as mechanical and flammability was investigated. The mechanical properties were studied on PP composites using tensile, flexural and impact test. Flammability properties were studied through limiting oxygen index (LOI) test. Tensile and flexural strength reduced as RNP content increased. Impact strength reduced during low amount of RNP presence. The presence of sepiolite can improve tensile, flexural and impact up to a maximum value before it starts to reduce. Percentage of LOI increased as RNP and sepiolite content increased.