16
G. Martínez-Barrera et al.
In the final section, some studies about gamma radiation as modifier of composites
elaborated with polyester resins and different polymers, are discussed. The polymers
act as reinforcements or fillers. The irradiated composites show high degree of crosslinking and morphological changes on their surface as well as high improvements
on the physical and mechanical properties.
Keywords Polyester resin · Recycling · Gamma radiation · Physicochemical
properties
1 Introduction
Novel strategies for diminishing the environmental pollution have been proposed,
which covers different environmental problems. Within main objectives are those
related to no more consumption of non-renewable sources. As it is known, raw
materials extraction and their industrial processes for manufacturing of products
provoke contamination. Such circumstances have been factors for to use waste and
recycled materials and promote the manufacturing of more environmental friendly
products.
Several activities have been designed and followed for to counter the environmental damages, caused by the manufacturing of products. These includes: (a) promote
more use of waste materials, mainly those generated as by-products of certain specific process; (b) increase the sustainability through the use of recycled materials,
and to avoid the use of raw materials, and (c) to have more durable materials, with
improved physicochemical properties; such action allow use less quantities of raw
materials [1, 2].
Different polymer artifacts, after their useful life in several activities (sports,
household, automotive and aeronautical), cause environmental deterioration. Their
degradation propitiates the formation of non-biodegradable particles that flow
through the environmental [3].
Nowadays, the choice of materials depends on their properties and costs, as well
as some characteristics related to environment and sustainability aspects. Moreover,
if they come from the industry, and are considered as wastes. On the last decades,
novel methodologies involving sustainability aspects have been adapted to waste and
recycled materials. Different materials have been recycled; they include metals, glass
or thermoplastics. Nevertheless, recycling of polymer blends, ceramic + polymer or
metal + polymer composites, has been difficult, due mainly to their composition [4].
In many situations, there are difficulties for reusing thermostable polymers, due to
their characteristics, thus recycling of them is necessary. One of the most important
thermostable polymers is unsaturated polyester resin, due to their physicochemical
properties and applications in many industries, such as the construction, textile, automotive and aeronautical, among others. Such resins have been used for elaboration
of synthetic fibers, which are versatile and economically accessible, as well as used
in composite materials.
G. Martínez-Barrera et al.
In the final section, some studies about gamma radiation as modifier of composites
elaborated with polyester resins and different polymers, are discussed. The polymers
act as reinforcements or fillers. The irradiated composites show high degree of crosslinking and morphological changes on their surface as well as high improvements
on the physical and mechanical properties.
Keywords Polyester resin · Recycling · Gamma radiation · Physicochemical
properties
1 Introduction
Novel strategies for diminishing the environmental pollution have been proposed,
which covers different environmental problems. Within main objectives are those
related to no more consumption of non-renewable sources. As it is known, raw
materials extraction and their industrial processes for manufacturing of products
provoke contamination. Such circumstances have been factors for to use waste and
recycled materials and promote the manufacturing of more environmental friendly
products.
Several activities have been designed and followed for to counter the environmental damages, caused by the manufacturing of products. These includes: (a) promote
more use of waste materials, mainly those generated as by-products of certain specific process; (b) increase the sustainability through the use of recycled materials,
and to avoid the use of raw materials, and (c) to have more durable materials, with
improved physicochemical properties; such action allow use less quantities of raw
materials [1, 2].
Different polymer artifacts, after their useful life in several activities (sports,
household, automotive and aeronautical), cause environmental deterioration. Their
degradation propitiates the formation of non-biodegradable particles that flow
through the environmental [3].
Nowadays, the choice of materials depends on their properties and costs, as well
as some characteristics related to environment and sustainability aspects. Moreover,
if they come from the industry, and are considered as wastes. On the last decades,
novel methodologies involving sustainability aspects have been adapted to waste and
recycled materials. Different materials have been recycled; they include metals, glass
or thermoplastics. Nevertheless, recycling of polymer blends, ceramic + polymer or
metal + polymer composites, has been difficult, due mainly to their composition [4].
In many situations, there are difficulties for reusing thermostable polymers, due to
their characteristics, thus recycling of them is necessary. One of the most important
thermostable polymers is unsaturated polyester resin, due to their physicochemical
properties and applications in many industries, such as the construction, textile, automotive and aeronautical, among others. Such resins have been used for elaboration
of synthetic fibers, which are versatile and economically accessible, as well as used
in composite materials.