Composites for Life A Case Study

Main Article Content

Duarte Menezes
Tomás Carneiro
António Torres Marques

Abstract

The usage of bio-fibres and recycled materials is a growing approach to address the ecological problems being faced today. Inspired by the guidelines defining the Waste for Life initiative, the present study reports new composite materials, based on the recycling of high-impact polystyrene, found, for instance in yogurt cups, and paper plastic laminates, deriving from disposable paper cups. Given their recycling incompatibility, paper plastic laminates are either dumped in landfills or incinerated after their first usage, threatening the environmental condition. Therefore, through the development of a new composite solution, the goal was to reduce this damaging environmental impact by providing a second life to both paper plastic laminates and high-impact polystyrene. Samples presented overall good mechanical properties, from which it is highlighted a Young’s Modulus of 1.75 GPa and a Tensile Strength of 21.2 MPa, encouraging the application of the present material to identified global obstacles.

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Author Biographies

Duarte Menezes, University of Porto

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Engineering

University of Porto

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias

4200-465 PORTO

Portugal

Tomás Carneiro, University of Porto

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Engineering

University of Porto

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias

4200-465 PORTO

Portugal

António Torres Marques, University of Porto

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Engineering

University of Porto

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias

4200-465 PORTO

Portugal