Development of composites with recycled PET matrix

Injection molded composites with recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) matrices, reinforced with glass and basalt fiber were prepared, containing 15, 30 and 45 wt % fiber. Fiber fracture and the interaction of various fibers and the matrix were analyzed in the micro-droplet test during processing. It was established that the basalt fibers, which are much cheaper than glass fibers improve substantially the tensile and flexural moduli without causing a significant decrease in the tensile and impact strength values. It was shown that the approximate critical fiber length calculated from the maximum pull-out fiber length from the fracture surfaces differs from that determined by micro-droplet tests. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.