PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT USING COMPOSITES FROM RECYCLED WOOD, PLASTICS AND RUBBER

A rubber - thermoplastic composite represents a widely used material, with controlled properties. In obtaining the composites, the use of recycled materials (rubber and plastics) represent a novel trend, providing tailored materials for sustainable products. Due to its properties, recycled rubber represents the matrix while PET is a promising reinforcing material because it has good mechanical properties, particularly in high-modulus and low shrinkage. However, PET is a relatively inert polymer, with insufficient adhesion to rubbers. Therefore, a third component is necessary to enhance adhesion between PET fibers and rubber. The compatibility can be obtained using another polymer, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). The use of fly ash (another waste material) proved to be beneficial for the mechanical properties of the composite material, also supporting the novel concept of product design and development, using 100% wastes. By adding wood to these composites the properties can be further tailored for indoor and outdoor applications, especially for building components and products for inner design. The paper present the steps in developing the products based on rubber - PET - wood composites.