Waste to poles: Discarded fishnet/glass fiber and polyester for building electrical poles

In this study, multifilament discarded fishnet/glass fibers with polyester matrix are investigated for their properties for possible application in making electrical poles. The prepared composite specimens were 16 layers of glass fiber composites as compared with 15 layers of glass fiber and additional 1, 2, and 3 layers of multifilament discarded fishnet fiber of 16 mm mesh. Mechanical properties and dynamic mechanical analysis were performed according to ASTM, so as to compare the performance of glass fiber composites as partial substitute in multifilament discarded fishnet fiber composite manufacturing. Scanning electron microscope and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy were recorded for various composites to investigate the bonding strength of the fibers with matrix and the elemental compositions. The results revealed that the multifilament discarded fishnet fiber composite of T90° orientation has higher impact strength and flexural properties. It is proposed to use glass fiber and multifilament discarded fishnet fiber incorporated composites for the manufacturing of electrical poles. Reuse of waste materials is widely encouraged from an environmental perspective and hence, these composites mitigate the problem of waste disposal. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2997–3005, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers