Balancing strength and sustainability: Incorporating recycled tyres and pawpaw fibre in polystyrene composites

The study presents the development and characterization of rubberized fibrillated polystyrene composites using recycled rubber tires and pawpaw fibres. The composites were prepared by varying the proportions of rubber and fibre. FTIR, SEM, EDX and hardness testing were used to characterize the composites. FTIR spectroscopy revealed distinct peaks, including hydroxyl and amine, but with a notable absence of the O-H group in nearly all composites, affirming their durability and potential suitability for applications in moist environments. SEM results showed that the introduction of rubber tires did not significantly alter the smooth and fine-grained nature of the polystyrene resin, whereas the inclusion of pawpaw fibre resulted in an irregular and coarse surface. Mechanical testing demonstrated that the hardness of the composites was dependent on the composition, with rubber-rich composites being more flexible and pawpaw-fibre-rich composites exhibiting greater rigidity.