Sheet Forming Studies using Low-cost Composites

ABSTRACT: This paper focuses on formability study of recycled polymeric matrix composites. Two thermoplastics are selected to create the composite, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high density polyethylene (HDPE). The recycling process is thermo-mechanical, and no addition of co-polymers, anti-oxidants or additives is used. Two sets of composites were studied. For the first set a PET/HDPE composite with ratio 60/40 was prepared, while the second one was a PET/HDPE/fiber glass composite. The PET/HDPE resulting matrix has the same aspect ratio as the first one and the final configuration matrix/fiber has a 70/30 relationship. The forming limit diagram (FLD) was obtained by following the methodology proposed by Bhattacharyya and his colleagues. The obtained results are very encouraging and open a new market for the recycling process. KEY WORDS: polymeric matrix composites, recycling, PET/HDPE composite, forming limit diagram