Thermoset powder coating wastes as filler in LDPE – Characterization of mechanical, thermal and morphological properties.

In this study, three different electrostatic powder coating wastes of thermoset structure were used as fillers for low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of these composites materials are reported. The thermoset powder coating wastes were hydrolyzed using water and alcohol, and then 10%, 20%, and 30% by weight of the deactivated wastes were mixed with LDPE, first in a mechanical dry mixer, and subsequently homogenized by melt compounding in an extruder at about 160 °C. Standard tensile test bars and plate-shaped samples were produced from these homogeneous compounds by injection molding. The effects of adding hydrolyzed powder coating wastes on the properties of LDPE were determined by mechanical, thermal, and morphological tests. Tensile strength and perforation threshold of the sample filled with powder coating wastes decreased to some extent compared to un-filled sample. However, an increase in izod impact and bending strengths has been observed. The results of this investigation demonstrate that powder coating wastes with thermoset structure can be used as fillers in LDPE. • Three different electrostatic powder coating wastes of thermoset structure were used as fillers for low-density polyethylene. • Hydrolyzed powder coating belonging to thermoset systems of epoxy, hybrid, PU coating materials were used as fillers. • Tensile strength of the samples with increasing filler amount decreased but improvements in bending strength were observed. • The samples filled with epoxy-based filler absorbed about 60% less energy in low-velocity impact tests. • The irregular distribution of the filler on the matrix surface indicate that homogeneity is not sufficiently achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]