Experimental Study on Recycled HDPE and Waste Glass Powder Composite Material for Pipe Production

Abstract

In Ethiopia, scraps of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes and crushed glass bottles are largely considered waste and are not being recycled or reused. In this study, it is aimed at experimentally processing HDPE scrap and mixing it with waste glass powder to produce a composite material with the potential to become a matrix and reinforcement material for pipes. Six samples were produced with varying percentages of the reinforcement and matrix. Their mechanical and physical properties were measured according to composite standards. The compounding mechanism and chemical reactions were properly performed for each sample and crosslinking between all materials was characterized. The theoretical density of the samples was determined using the rule of mixture. After conducting all experiments, a composite sample with 27.645 MPa of tensile strength, 22.061 MPa of tear strength, an increase in hardness, an average actual density of 1.1195 g/cm3 and an increase in abrasion resistance capability was selected. This study demonstrates the potential for recycling HDPE scraps and waste glass powder into a composite material with desirable mechanical and physical properties for use in the production of pipes. The experimental results indicate that the waste HDPE and glass powder can be effectively processed and utilized as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to virgin materials for the production of composite materials. The use of waste materials in this manner can not only reduce the environmental impact of industrial waste but also create new opportunities for the recycling and repurposing of waste materials. Furthermore, the resulting composite material can offer improved mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear strength and abrasion resistance, compared to traditional materials. This study provides valuable insights into the development of sustainable composite materials and offers a promising avenue for future research on the recycling and reuse of waste materials.