PRODUCTION OF CASCADE RECYCLE BOARD FROM USED PLASTICS AND PAPERS

摘要

Purpose: Effective use of wastes originated from organic compounds, e.g., polymers, plastics, woods, fibers and papers, should be developed intensively in order to reduce green house gas generation by incineration. Production of cascade recycle board is attempted in this paper from a mixture of used plastics and used papers (or fibrous textures). The goals are to establish a continuous production procedure of the board, and to explore a multi-usage stage of the recycle board. Method: Cascade recycle board was prepared by warm pressing of a mixture of used plastics and used papers in a typical case. After crashing and shredding the wasted plastics (polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, etc.) and used papers (or fibrous textile) into small fragments separately, they are blended at a mixing weight ratio of 70/30 for example, and then pressed and heated at 150-220℃ to form a flat panel with the thickness of 3-12 mm. Results: A continuous flat board was extruded from the press machine after cooling. The mechanical and chemical properties such as density, bend strength, machinability, water repellence, flame resistance, etc. were found similar or superior to those of plywood panel or plastic board. This recycle board can be used as floor-or wall-boards, packing cases, returnable pallets, boxes or bench seats. Main conclusions: This board can be expected as an alternative material against plywood panel, which is lumbered in large quantities from tropical forests. Therefore, we can reduce the CO2 emission considerably by using this board as various kinds of panels, pallets, wainscots, etc. instead of using plywood. The effective utilization of this recycle board would also contribute to the global issue for the conservation of forests and biodiversity.