Utilization of electric arc furnace dust as a filler for unsaturated polyester resin

Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD) is a waste material produced during the steelmaking process. It contains a large amount of valuable metal oxides that can be used as a filling additive to improve the polymer properties. In this study, EAFD is used as a filler to the unsaturated polyester (UP) resin in different weight percentages. Neat UP and UP/EAFD compounds were studied mechanically by testing their tensile, impact, flexural, and hardness properties. The samples were investigated physically by density and water absorption, in addition to flammability analysis was performed by testing the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI). Finally, the thermal properties were determined using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The result showed that the incorporation of the EAFD particles into the UP matrix has significantly affected the mechanical properties by increasing tensile strength up to 42%. The hardness of the UP/EAFD composites increases up to 8.5% and reaches a maximum value at 10 wt% of EAFD. Flexural strength and impact strength showed an optimal value at 5 wt% of EAFD. The flammability of the composites decreased by 34% at 30 wt% of EAFD. The thermal stability of the composites showed a remarkable increasing trend. Therefore, utilizing EAFD in UP matrix would help improve the environmental pollution control of the steel industry. Finding useful applications of this dust as a filler for the composite industry might convert this hazardous waste into a byproduct that should reduce the expenses and increase their profit. (c) 2022 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.