Title: Fabrication and characterisation of epoxy-based composite utilising PET waste plastic and bamboo

Authors: D. Kalita; A. Srivastav; P. Rissang; T. Kiba; V. Yadav

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh, 791109, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462003, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh, 791109, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh, 791109, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462003, India

Abstract: Bamboo grows abundantly in most parts of the world and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is ubiquitous in our day-to-day lives in the form of water bottles, plastic containers, food packing, etc. The environmental pollution caused by waste PET disposal is an urgent environmental issue which can be addressed by reusing the disposed PET in construction and decoration. The aim of this work is to fabricate a composite using three components viz., raw bamboo, PET waste plastic and resin that can be used in manufacturing and construction; thereby reducing the PET waste contributing to environmental pollution. Four tests viz., impact, tensile, compression and centre-point bending are performed with two replicate specimens in each case to calculate the mechanical properties of the proposed composite. The results presented are shown that the proposed composite methodology requires scientific and holistic approach to make a sustainable alternative material for infrastructure development especially in rural areas.

Keywords: bamboo; PET waste plastic; resin; composite; plastic waste management; sustainable development; polyethylene terephthalate; PET.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.137519

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2024 Vol.33 No.3, pp.292 - 311

Received: 02 Nov 2020
Accepted: 17 Jul 2021
Published online: 22 Mar 2024 *

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