Usage of the waste PET as filler in phenolic resins molds

Abstract

The main aim in this work was to investigate usage of the waste PET powder as filler in "high ortho" novolac resin (N)-wood flour (WF) molds. At first, N was synthesized and then purified. The N after grinding to powder was mixed at different weight ratios (60, 80, and 95 %) with waste PET powder (WF-free). In addition, N was mixed 20 % with waste PET powder (with WF). The mixtures were molded to obtain test pieces in standard dimensions by Buehler Metaserv. Thus, we prepared molds from blends of novolac resin and waste PET powder. The effect of waste PET on the mechanical properties of the molds was investigated with mechanical measurements, such as compression strength, elastic modulus, strain to failure, and hardness. Using 20 % (wt) waste PET powder in the molds did not cause any significant change in compression strength, elastic modulus, strain to failure, and hardness values.