Thesis
Production of Recycled HDPE Containing Flame Retardants at Small-Scale: a thermo-analysis study
Southern Cross University
Masters by Thesis, Southern Cross University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.403
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Abstract
This study focuses on investigating the fire retardancy of recycled milk bottles using small-scale extruders. The aim is to enhance the fire resistance properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) milk bottle waste. The HDPE milk bottles were shredded into 5-10 mm shreds and combine with fire retardant additives, aluminium hydroxide (ATH) and fly ash (FA). The produced samples were subjected to various tests and experiments to evaluate their performance. The evaluations included the vertical flammability test (UL 94) to determine the flammability characteristics of the compositions. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to study the thermal degradation behaviour, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measured the thermal stability and heat flow properties. The melt flow index (MFI) was measured to assess the flowability and processability of the compositions. Furthermore, the morphology and elemental composition of the produced samples were investigated using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS).
The results obtained from these comprehensive tests and analyses offered valuable information regarding the fire retardancy and thermal characteristics of the compositions. The SEM analysis correlated with the manufacturing process by confirming the uniform distribution and incorporation of additives within the polymer matrix. Notably, a composition containing 46% virgin HDPE, 26% recycled HDPE, and 28% fly ash achieved a V-2 rating in the UL 94 vertical flammability test. TGA and DSC tests provided further insights, showing enhanced thermal stability and improved heat resistance due to the incorporation of fire retardant additives.
Overall, this research highlights the feasibility of converting plastic waste into high-quality, flame-retardant products, paving the way for future applications in building materials and offering a sustainable solution to plastic waste management.
Details
- Title
- Production of Recycled HDPE Containing Flame Retardants at Small-Scale: a thermo-analysis study
- Creators
- Parya Samadi Ghandehari
- Contributors
- Lachlan H Yee (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityDirk Erler (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityDavid Sutton (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Masters by Thesis
- Theses
- Masters by Thesis, Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University
- Number of pages
- 75
- Identifiers
- 991013221313602368
- Copyright
- © Parya Samadi Ghadehari 2023
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Resource Type
- Thesis