Impact strength of recycled thermoplastic composites subjected to corrosive environment

Abstract The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of hygrothermal aging on the impact strength of virgin and recycled commercial polyphenylenesulfide (PPS) matrix composites reinforced with 40% by weight of short glass fibres after water absorption at different pH and temperature environments. This study is part of a long‐term strategy for developing a sound methodology for reusing short fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic materials. Hygrothermal aging has been conducted so as to represent actual service conditions identified for the components made from these recycled materials. Taking into account the corrosive nature of the service environment in which the aforementioned components are required to operate, a study of the recycled material impact strength as a function of the environmental conditions to which they are subjected, is deemed indispensable before using them for the manufacturing of new products. The results of the present study showed a great effect of the various parameters studied such as, water temperature, alkaline or acidic nature of the environment, andtype of the coupling agent used on the impact behavior of the PPS‐glass fiber composites investigated. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers