In this research, waste carpets were processed into high value composites via green and low cost processes. About 4 billion pounds of carpets are disposed in landfills annually in the USA. Carpets contain valuable petroleum-derived synthetic polymers such as polypropylene and nylon. Utilizing carpets for high value composites will decrease the amount of carpets disposed in landfills, reduce the need for new synthetic polymers, and therefore benefit the environment. However, discarded carpets have not been reported to make into high value composites using a green and low cost recycling process. In this research, polypropylene carpets were directly compression molded into composites. The effects of three compositions in carpets on the mechanical properties of the composites were studied. The composites developed were also characterized in terms of their structures and properties to make comparison with materials commonly used in furniture and construction industries. With good mechanical properties, water stability and thermal stability, carpet composites demonstrated good potential for further industrial applications.

Composites for furniture and construction industries from discarded carpets

248th National Meeting (2014)

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