Abstract
The production of composites materials has gained importance due to the increasing and more complex needs of today. By adding PET fibers, which are among recycled products, into the composites, the use of limited raw material resources and the harm to the environment during the processes during the lifecycle of the product is minimized. Additionally, gypsum, which is used as matrix in the composite, is easily obtainable, has adequate raw material resources, is easily given form, produces a clean-flat surface, has sufficient tensile and compressive strength and is a good humidity equalizer and sound regulator. However, gypsum has a low impact strength and toughness value. As it is necessary to increase its impact resistance, some research is carried out to this end. In this study, composite material is produced by adding polyethylene terephthalate fibers that are recycled products manufactured from recycled PET bottles and which have not been tried before and PVA based adherence-enhancing additive into the gypsum matrix to improve the properties of gypsum. Test results show that with the addition of fiber the flexural strength of gypsum has somewhat decreased but the addition of the adherence-enhancing additive has considerably increased the compressive and flexural strength. As expected from fiber reinforced composites, the impact and toughness values of the material has considerably increased. The positive effect of the adherence additive between the gypsum matrix and the fiber is clearly visible in the micro analysis carried out.
