Recycled Glass Fibres from Wind Turbines as a Filler for Poly(Vinyl Chloride)

Abstract

This paper presents the method of using glass fibre with carbon deposit (GFCD), derived from the recycling of wind turbine blades, for production of composite materials based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Composite materials containing from 1 to 15 wt% of GFCD were produced by plasticising with a plastographometer and then by pressing. The processability and performance were studied. Mechanical properties in static tension, impact strength, and thermal stability were determined. Glass transition temperature was also determined by means of the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The GFCD percentage of up to 15 wt% was found not to slightly affect the change in the processability, thermal stability, and glass transition temperature. PVC/GFCD composite materials are characterised by a definitely greater elastic modulus with simultaneous decrease of tensile strength and impact strength. An analysis with scanning electron microscopy revealed good adhesion between the filler and the polymer matrix.