Valorization of Expanded Polystyrene by Embedding of High GFRP Loading Through Cold-Mixing Solvent-Assisted Process.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Waste Management

Background:

• Growing environmental concerns regarding glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) waste accumulation.
• Need for scalable and effective recycling strategies for GFRP and recycled expanded polystyrene (ePS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a solvent-assisted cold mixing process for high GFRP content incorporation into ePS.
• To investigate the impact of GFRP particle size distribution on composite properties.
• To evaluate the recyclability and performance retention of the resulting composites.

Main Methods:

• Solvent-assisted cold mixing of GFRP (up to 75 wt%) into ePS.
• Characterization of composite properties, focusing on particle size and filler content effects.
• Assessment of mechanical properties, including impact resistance and performance after reprocessing.

Main Results:

• Intermediate GFRP particle sizes (0.25 mm) yielded optimal dispersion and mechanical properties.
• Fine GFRP fractions led to defects and reduced impact resistance.
• Solvent-assisted method ensured homogeneous dispersion at high filler loadings, enabling melt processing.
• Reprocessed composites maintained significant chemical and mechanical integrity with minor losses.

Conclusions:

• A sustainable method for valorizing both ePS and GFRP waste was demonstrated.
• Highly loaded GFRP/ePS composites with preserved functionality can be produced.
• The process offers improved resource efficiency and addresses environmental challenges of GFRP waste.