Synergistic effects of fillers on recycled polystyrene composites

In this study, we have explored the use of recycled materials such as recycled polystyrene (rPS), wood flour (WF), and short carbon fibers (SCF) to manufacture structural composite materials. Green composites were compounded from rPS (matrix), WF (fillers), and SCF (reinforcements) with varying composition in terms of their weight fractions. The main objective of this study was to gain useful insights into synergistic effects between WF and SCF in the rPS matrix. The dynamic mechanical properties of WF and SCF-reinforced rPS composites were investigated as a function of the filler content. The incorporation of WF into rPS was found to increase the storage modulus and glass transition temperature, and glass transition temperature (T _g) compared to neat rPS. The use of SCF improved the storage modulus as well as T _g of the composites because of the synergistic effect between WF and SCF in matrix interfacial adhesion. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the functional groups present in these green composites. Structure–property correlations of the green composites were deduced from thermal, mechanical, and morphological studies.