Investigating the Impact of Three Recycling Cycles on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Composites Made from Aspen Wood Flour and Recycled Polyethylene for Packaging Applications

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Jafar Ebrahimpour-Kasmani 1
Ahmad Samariha 2
1 Associate professor, Department of Wood and Paper, Sava.C., Islamic Azad University, Savadkooh, Iran
2 Assistant professor, Department of Engineering Sciences, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran
10.22034/stme.2025.513808.1113
Abstract
This article investigates the impact of recycling on the thermal and mechanical properties of composites made from ash wood flour and recycled polyethylene. Given the growing concerns about environmental pollution and the necessity of material reuse, this research analyzes the effects of recycling on the physical and functional characteristics of these composites in packaging applications. Samples were prepared with varying ratios of wood flour and polyethylene, and thermal properties such as glass transition temperature, along with mechanical properties including tensile strength and hardness, were measured. The results indicated that an increase in the number of recycling cycles negatively affected tensile strength, tensile and flexural elastic modulus, and impact resistance, showing reductions of 21.9%, 25.4%, 30.3%, 27.9%, and 23.1%, respectively. However, thermal stability remained relatively unchanged, with residual charcoal content measured at 9.96%, 9.36%, 8.16%, and 7.76%. This study could contribute to the development of environmentally friendly packaging materials and provide new opportunities for utilizing recycled materials in various industries. The findings underscore the need to balance the benefits of recycling with its negative impacts on mechanical properties, serving as a guide for designing sustainable packaging materials in the future.
Keywords
Recycling؛ Thermal Properties؛ Recycled Polyethylene
Packaging
Subjects

اصل مقاله

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Science and Technology in Mechanical Engineering
Volume 4, Issue 1 - Serial Number 7
August 2025
Pages 93-105

  • Receive Date 24 March 2025
  • Revise Date 15 May 2025
  • Accept Date 20 May 2025
  • First Publish Date 20 May 2025
  • Publish Date 22 June 2025