Mechanical properties of polypropylene reinforced with recycled-pet fibres

We present an experimental study of the incorporation of fibres of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in polypropylene (PP). Composites of PP/PET with 3, 5 and 7% of PET fibres (w/w) were prepared by monoscrew extrusion followed by injection moulding and the mechanical behaviour was estimated by the measurement of the tensile strength, the Izod impact strength and the surface hardness (Shore D). The morphology was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showing good dispersion of the fibres but no interaction between the polymer phases. It was observed that the incorporation of recycled-PET fibres (rPETFs) in PP is an efficient way to recycle PET, increasing significantly the mechanical properties of PP.