A cost-effective solution to the problems that the automotive industry is facing nowadays regarding regulations on emissions and fuel efficiency is to achieve weight reduction of automobile parts. Glass fiber-reinforced polymers are regularly used to manufacture various components, and some parts may also contain thermoplastic elastomers for toughness improvement. This work aimed to investigate the effect of styrene-(ethylene-co-butylene)-styrene triblock copolymer (E) and treated fly ash (C) on the morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of long glass fiber (G)-reinforced polypropylene (PP). Results showed that the composites obtained through melt processing methods presented similar thermal stability and improved (nano)mechanical properties compared to 25–30 wt.% G-reinforced PP composites (PP-25G/PP-30G). Specifically, the impact strength and surface hardness were greatly improved. The addition of 20 wt.% E led to a 25–39% increase in impact strength and surface elasticity, while the addition of 6.5 wt.% C led to a 16% increase in surface hardness. The composite based on 25 wt.% G, 6.5 wt.% C, and 20 wt.% E presented the best-balanced properties (8–17% increase in impact strength, 38–41% increase in axial strain, and 35% increase in surface hardness) compared with PP-30G/PP-25G. Structural and morphological analysis confirmed the presence of a strong interaction between the components that make the composites. Based on these results, the PP–G–E–C composites could be presented as a viable material for automotive applications.

There is an ever-growing interest in recovering and recycling waste materials due to their hazardous nature to the environment and human health. Recently, especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, disposable medical face masks have been a major source of pollution, hence the rise in studies being conducted on how to recover and recycle this waste. At the same time, fly ash, an aluminosilicate waste, is being repurposed in various studies. The general approach to recycling these materials is to process and transform them into novel composites with potential applications in various industries. This work aims to investigate the properties of composites based on silico-aluminous industrial waste (ashes) and recycled polypropylene from disposable medical face masks and to create usefulness for these materials. Polypropylene/ash composites were prepared through melt processing methods, and samples were analyzed to get a general overview of the properties of these composites. Results showed that the polypropylene recycled from face masks used together with silico-aluminous ash can be processed through industrial melt processing methods and that the addition of only 5 wt% ash with a particle size of less than 90 µm, increases the thermal stability and the stiffness of the polypropylene matrix while maintaining its mechanical strength. Further investigations are needed to find specific applications in some industrial fields.

Increased concern for human health and the environment has pushed various industries to adopt new approaches towards satisfying modern regulations. Strategies to achieve these approaches include utilizing lightweight materials, repurposing waste materials, and substituting synthetic polymers with bio-based counterparts. This study investigates the effects of treated fly ash (C) and bio-based polyamide 10.10 (PA10) on the thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties of glass fiber (GF)-reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6). Our main objective was to develop a composite that would allow for the partial replacement of glass fiber in reinforced polyamide 6 composites (PA6-30G) while maintaining a favorable balance of mechanical properties. Composites processed via melt processing demonstrated enhanced mechanical properties compared to PA6-30G. Notably, significant improvements were observed in impact strength and tensile strain at break. The addition of PA10 resulted in increases of 18% in impact strength and 35% in tensile strain relative to PA6-30G. Complementary, structural and morphological analyses confirmed strong interfacial interactions within the composite matrix. These findings indicate that a PA6/PA10 hybrid composite may represent a viable alternative material for potential automotive applications.

Municipal waste disposal is an issue that is important.

Solid municipal waste (SMW) represents an environmental problem largely distributed all