ABSTRACT
Consumption of plastic products has increased dramatically over the past few decades. This trend results in the generation of a vast waste stream that needs to be properly managed to avoid environmental damage. This study designed to transform plastic waste into fabrication of value-added products such as particle boards. Polyethylene-saw dust (PE-SD) composites are prepared by melt blending and compression molding techniques from recycled PE and SD. The mechanical properties and contact angle analysis of PE-SD composites were investigated. The results showed that the addition of SD increased the tensile strength, elastic modulus of the PE-SD composites, and strain at break was decreased as per SD concentration. Contact angle measurements revealed that presence of SD increased the hydrophilic nature of the composites by reduced its contact angle. Plastic waste can be reduced though the fabrication of value-added product such as wood-plastic composite from the SD and recycled PE.
