Title: Sustainability Development for Light Weight Reinforced Thermoplastic Composite

Authors: Ruomiao Wang and Chenying Zhao

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/c.25.141

Abstract: There is an increasing demand for sustainability, which promotes the development of more ecofriendly materials. Therefore, sustainable fiber-reinforced polymeric composites are gaining attention in automotive and other consumer goods industries. Recycling material into new products that can be used again reduces the amount of material heading to landfills. In this study, different levels of sustainable material (internal scrap, post-industrial recycled [PIR], and post-consumer recycled [PCR]) have been investigated in developing a more sustainable composite. Evaluations have been conducted on recycled matrix resins (e.g., polypropylene) and recycled reinforcing fibers (e.g., recycled PET and glass fibers). Sustainable components were incorporated into the manufacturing process of lightweight reinforced thermoplastic composites. The developed sustainable composite materials maintain the key performance characteristics of similar materials made with virgin raw materials: physical properties, such as areal density, thickness, lofted thickness, and flammability; flexural strength, as tested by ISO 178; and thermoforming performance. Overall, the lightweight sustainable composites are expected to be used in similar applications that currently utilize the advantages of virgin lightweight composite materials. Keywords: Sustainability, Recycled Materials, Wet-laid, Light-weight, Thermoformability

References: [1] Lyu, MY., Choi, T.G. Research trends in polymer materials for use in lightweight vehicles. 16, Int. J. Precis. Eng. Manuf: Spinger, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12541-015-0029-x [2] Gibson, R. F., Principles of Composites Material Mechanics. 2nd ed. CRC press, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420014242 [3] Ishikawa T, Amaoka K, Masubuchi Y, Yamamoto T, Yamanaka A, Arai M, Takahashi J. Overview of automotive structural composites technology developments in Japan. Composites Science and Technology: Elsevier, 155, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2017.09.015 [4] Kim, R., Wang, R., Mason, M. O. Development of a Novel Light Weight Reinforced Thermoplastic (LWRT) for Automotive Application, SPE ANTEC, Sept. 2023, https://speautomotive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Development-of-a-Novel-Light-WeightReinforced-Thermoplastic-LWRT-for-Automotive-Applications_Kim_Richard.pdf [5] Scelsi, L., Hodzic, A., Soutis, C., Hayes, S. A., Rajendran, S., AlMa’adeed, M. A., Kahraman, and R. A Review on Composite Materials Base on Recycled Thermoplastics and Glass Fibers. Plastics, Rubber Composites: https://doi.org/10.1179/174328911X12940139029121 SageJournal, 40, 2011. [6] Prithvirajan, R., Jayabal, S., Bharathiraja, G. Bio-based Composites from Waste Agricultural Residues: Mechanical and Morphological Properties. Cellulose Chemistry and Technology, 49, 2015. [7] Raghavendran, V. K., Ebeling, T. A. Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Sheets with Surface Covering. U.S. Patent Application 13/827,866. 2013. [8] Peng, C., Wang, R., Mason, O. M., Novel Light Weight Reinforced Thermoplastic (LWRT) for Automotive Applications, SPE ACCE, Sept. 2022, https://speautomotive.com/wpcontent/uploads/2022/10/Novel-Lightweight-Reinforced-Thermoplastic-LWRT-for-AutomotiveApplications_WANG.pdf [9] Vogt, B. D. Stokes, K. K., Kumar, S. K. Why is Recyclingof Postconsumer Plastics So Challenging? ACS Appl. Polym. Mater: ACS 3, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.1c00648 [10] Awad, A. H., Gamasy, R. E. Wahab, A. A. E., Abdellatif, M. H. Mechanical and Physical Properties of PP and HDPE. Eng. Sci.: SciencePG, 4, 2019. doi: 10.11648/j.es.20190402.12 [11] Choi, D., Hong, S., Lim, MK., Ha, SS., Vachirapanyakun, S. Seismic Retrofitting of RC Circular Columns Using Carbon Fiber, Glass Fiber, or Ductile PET fiber. Int. J. Concr. Struct. Mater: Spinger 15, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40069-021-00484-7

Conference: CAMX 2025

Publication Date: 2025/09/08

SKU: 141

Pages: 9

Price: $18.00