Polypropylene filled with nonmetals recycled from waste PCBs

The polypropylene (PP) composites filled with nonmetals recycled from waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) were prepared by melt blending method. The effect of nonmetals on the toughening and strengthening of PP was investigated based on the results of mechanical properties testing, observation of the wettability of nonmetals and impact fracture surface topography of the composites. The results show that the tensile, flexural and low temperature notched impact properties of the nonmetal/PP composites can be improved simultaneously. But the room temperature notched impact properties are decreased. The maximum increment of the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus and low temperature notched impact strength is 16.3%, 41.5%, 63.5%, 100% and 45.7%, respectively. The nonmetals can be used as reinforcing and toughening fillers in the PP composites.