A study on physical properties of composites produced using recycled polymer filled with paper mill sludge composites

In this study, physical properties of composite produced using recycled polymer (polypropylene and polyethylene) filled with two types of paper mill sludge (sludge on the DAF and waste water sludge) were investigated. Three levels of paper sludge (15, 30 and 45 wt %) were used to produce composites. Haake machine was used to blend materials and to produce standard samples; injection molding system was utilized. Density, water absorption and thicknesses swelling of composites were measured. The increasing of both paper mill sludge (sludge on the DAF and wastewater sludge) to the recycled polyethylene and polypropylene increased the density of composites. But, comparing the data obtained from density measurement with literature showed that utilization of paper mill sludge produced relatively lower density and cost on the unit volume basis. Adding both paper mill sludge (sludge on the DAF and waste water sludge) increased water absorption and thicknesses swelling. The samples containing polypropylene and waste water sludge showed lower water absorption and thicknesses swelling compared with other composite