Use of waste vehicle tire powder in polymer matrix composites with glass fiber reinforcement

In this thesis, waste tire powder obtained from discarded vehicle tires was used as a filler material in a styrene-based epoxy resin, reinforced with fiberglass. The styrene-based epoxy resin containing waste tire powder was produced using methyl ethyl ketone as a catalyst and the hand lay-up method at room temperature. The mechanical properties of the produced composite materials were evaluated through tensile strength and three-point bending strength tests, and the average strength values were determined. Additionally, low-velocity impact tests were conducted to examine the impact resistance of the materials. The tensile test analyzed the material's maximum stress resistance and elasticity, revealing the effect of tire powder on the tensile strength of the composite. The bending test evaluated the flexural strength and stiffness of the composite, allowing an assessment of the impact of fiberglass and tire powder on bending behavior. The impact test measured the resistance of the composites to sudden impacts and their energy absorption capacity, providing insights into the fracture toughness of the material. The data obtained from these tests demonstrated the significant effect of waste tire powder content on the durability of the composite material, offering valuable findings for the industrial application of recycled materials. In conclusion, this study evaluated the potential use of recycled materials in composites and showed that waste materials could be utilized as a valuable resource to contribute to environmental sustainability goals.