| Carbon fiber industrial scrap and polyethylene based post-consumer waste represent significant portions of landfill composition in the United States, and can present environmental problems. The feasibility of combining these two wastes to produce a useful and non-hazardous product, plastic lumber, was studied. The study investigated the feasibility of processing the two materials, and examined the effects of fiber content and coupling agent type on the flexural, compressive, creep, screw pull-out and electrical properties of carbon fiber filled, polyethylene and foamed polyethylene lumber structures.;The results showed that increased fiber content significantly improved most of the properties measured, especially surface conductivity and creep resistance. However, the addition of the carbon fiber to the HDPE resulted in some processing difficulties. Fiber length decreased due to the aggressive mixing during compounding, however the fibers did improve flexural and compressive properties. Coupling agent type was found to be insignificant, with properties more dependent upon carbon fiber content. The addition of carbon fiber however, was detrimental to screw pull-out force compared to neat HDPE. |
