Search

This paper describes the process used to produce thermoplastic building materials from non-recyclable mixed plastic–paper packaging waste. A first step was dedicated to an innovative and sustainable sterilization technology for non-recyclable waste, based on exposure to microwave radiation in closed air-circulation ovens. Further, composites with different cellulose contents and with two polymer matrices, respectively, were obtained using an injection process, and the samples were subjected to mechanical and physical tests. Due to their superior features, the products based on mixed polypropylene–paper packaging waste may successfully replace the classic polyvinylchloride-based wood–plastic composites. The environmental impact of mixed plastic–paper packaging waste was analyzed, and the sustainability of the thermoplastic technology was demonstrated from an economic and environmental point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the process of obtaining geopolymer composites using raw materials from critical waste, i.e., mixed power plant ash and furnace slag powder. Using such geopolymer composites, structural insulation panels were made in the laboratory, which were subjected to tests specific to construction applications. At the same time, some special properties, such as sound insulation and electromagnetic shielding properties for special applications, were tested. The results obtained from the functional tests led to the conclusion that the panels made of geopolymer composites provided both sound and electromagnetic attenuation values clearly superior to those obtained from autoclaved cellular concrete, brick, or concrete structures, which encourages us to suggest such material concepts for complex shielding purposes. The sustainability of the technology for producing such geopolymer composites was fully demonstrated from the economic, environmental, and social perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the obtaining and characterization of five experimental models of novel polymer composite materials with ferrite nano-powder are presented. The composites were obtained by mechanically mixing two components and pressing the obtained mixture on a hot plate press. The ferrite powders were obtained by an innovative economic co-precipitation route. The characterization of these composites consisted of physical and thermal properties: hydrostatic density, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and TG DSC thermal analyses, along with functional electromagnetic tests in order to demonstrate the functionality of these materials as electromagnetic shields (magnetic permeability, dielectric characteristics, and shielding effectiveness). The purpose of this work was to obtain a flexible composite material, applicable to any type of architecture for the electrical and automotive industry, necessary for protection against electromagnetic interference. The results demonstrated the efficiency of such materials at lower frequencies, but also in the microwave domain, with higher thermal stability and lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work was to obtain an elastic composite material from polymer powders (polyurethane and polypropylene) with the addition of BaTiO3 until 35% with tailored dielectric and piezoelectric features. The filament extruded from the composite material was very elastic but had good features to be used for 3D printing applications. It was technically demonstrated that the 3D thermal deposition of composite filament with 35% BaTiO3 was a convenient process for achieving tailored architectures to be used as devices with functionality as piezoelectric sensors. Finally, the functionality of such 3D printable flexible piezoelectric devices with energy harvesting features was demonstrated, which can be used in various biomedical devices (as wearable electronics or intelligent prosthesis), generating enough energy to make such devices completely autonomous only by exploiting body movements at variable low frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]