Development of composites with recycled PET matrix

Injection molded composites with recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) matrices, reinforced with glass and basalt fiber were prepared, containing 15, 30 and 45 wt % fiber. Fiber fracture and the interaction of various fibers and the matrix were analyzed in the micro‐droplet test during processing. It was established that the basalt fibers, which are much cheaper than glass fibers improve substantially the tensile and flexural moduli without causing a significant decrease in the tensile and impact strength values. It was shown that the approximate critical fiber length calculated from the maximum pull‐out fiber length from the fracture surfaces differs from that determined by micro‐droplet tests.