Recycling of Waste Polyethylene Fishing Nets as Fibre Reinforcement in Gypsum-based Materials

Identifying new recycling initiatives for waste fishing gear is highly important, especially, if the fishing gear could end up as marine litter. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of using recycled polyethylene (R-PE) fibres from waste fishing nets as fibre reinforcement in gypsum-based materials. The discarded fishing nets were processed by an industrial, mechanical cutting operation to create monofilament R-PE fibres. The fibre characterisation included tensile tests, geometry, morphology and leaching of anions (Cl − , NO 3 − , SO 4 2− ). The mechanical properties of the R-PE fibres were found to be in the same range as other commercially available synthetic fibres used in gypsum-based materials. Laboratory-scale specimens were prepared and R-PE fibres added at fractions of 0.25-2.00 wt%. Mechanical tests were carried out to determine the compressive and flexural response of gypsum-based materials. The addition of R-PE fibres resulted in a small reduction in the compressive strength and the ultimate flexural strength, but to the positive side, there was a significant increase in the post-crack performance. Based on these results, gypsum-based materials with the addition of R-PE fibres have the potential for being used as non-structural elements such as gypsum boards where increased post-crack performance and ductility is required.