STUDY ON RECYCLING OF CHROME-TANNED LEATHER FIBERS TO FABRICATE UNSATURATED POLYESTER COMPOSITE

Abstract

This work presents influence of unsaturated polyester (UPE) concentration, hardener catalyst methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP), leather fiber contain, blending ratio mass of leather fiber/glass fiber/sawdust filler on the completely curing time, some mechanical properties, phase distribution and color of obtained composite materials. Leather fibres used in this research were grinded from tanned leather waste of shoe making company. According to the results of research with UPE concentration (40 – 60%), MEKP (1 – 2%), leather fiber ratio (7 – 11%), blending ratio mass of leather fiber/glass fiber (50/50), leather fiber/sawdust (50/50) and và leather fiber/glass fiber/sawdust filler (40/30/30), the optimal technical parameters for composite fabrication were UPE 60%, MEKP 1% and leather fiber ratio 7%. Some mechanical properties of the obtained composite like tensile strength, tensile modulus, Izod impact strength and compressive strength were enhanced significantly at these conditions. The mechanical properties of the composites with reinforcing filler of leather fiber/glass fiber (50/50) were found to be best. The successful fabrication of composites using waste leather fibers as reinforcement and unsaturated polyester as matrix could make these materials very promising for industrial and civil engineering applications.