Tensile and Flexural Properties of Recycled HDPE for Application in Building Products

Abstract

Plastic waste generation is a major environmental threat with farreaching consequences that needs to be dealt with. High density polyethylene (HDPE) is a common plastic waste coming out of daily household products. Recycling of HDPE plastic waste has been a viable alternate to disposal. To the best of author’s knowledge, no work has been reported on the material properties of recycled HDPE in perspective of building products. This study investigates the tensile and flexural properties of mechanically recycled HDPE for potential application in building products. The specimen’s behaviour under loading has also been reported. Based on the findings, 2.5% elongation at fracture was observed having 14.25 MPa strength against tension. Whereas, 32.6 MPa modulus of rupture was obtained with toughness index of 1.45 against flexure. In addition, potential application of recycled HDPE for manufacturing building products has been discussed keeping in line the material properties of recycled plastic. The adoption of recycled waste material instead of conventional materials can significantly influence the construction industry positively.