Properties of paper waste sludge reinforced with sugarcane bagasse

Abstract

In this study, the raw materials used are treated paper waste sludge and sugar cane bagasse. This study aims on the properties of both industrial and agricultural wastes and the effects of the wastes blending by combining with polyester resin. It is pre-promoted for ambient temperature cure with addition of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) as catalyst. Analyses were done on their physical, mechanical and optical parameters to characterize the panel made from those raw materials. For the physical and mechanical testing purposes, flexural, tensile and water absorption test were done. While for the optical parameter, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to investigate their morphological structures. At the end of the study, the table panel produced has shown few unique characteristics, which is reliable to be commercialized. Those criteria were exhibited from testing results, where it has good mechanical properties and the best filler ratio for paper waste sludge and sugarcane bagasse is a 60:40. Besides, the raw materials used can be abundantly earned without cost, which in turn reduce the cost of production. Plus by this way, we can reduce the sludge disposal which make it highly valuable in terms of environmental and market value.