Valorization of Plastic HDPE and Cork Wastes in the Design of Composite Materials

Plastic is a revolutionary material. However, pollution caused by plastic damages the environment, human health, and economy of different countries. It is important to find the new methods for recycling and reusing plastic materials. In this present study, plastic waste coming from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cups (called HDPE_r in the following) are used together with virgin cork for production of composite materials. Different fractions of virgin cork with HDPE_r are tested and allow to obtain successfully composite materials. The properties of HDPE_r and composite are compared. The morphology of elaborated composite is studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The thermal properties are investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis; the flammability study is performed using a cone calorimeter. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the samples stored under different conditions are studied by tensile strength experiments. The results show that the cork content has an effect on the mechanical and thermal properties. The feasibility of the composites based on cork and HDPE_r wastes opens the way of reusing of these wastes. The formulation of HDPE_r composites must be optimized by adding a flame retardant and a coupling agent.