A NEW COMPOSITE MADE FROM NON-METALLIC WASTE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS: TABLE-TOP PRODUCT AS A PRACTICAL PROTOTYPE

Abstract

This study aims to develop practical products that can be produced from non-metallic fraction
(NMF) - a non-valuable waste from the copper recovery process of printed circuit board waste (PCBW) as a
reinforcing material in glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) furniture products. A table-top product was selected
as the practical prototype. The results show that the new composite, called “NMF composite” can be used to
replace the plywood layer or the glass fiber layer in table-top prototypes. The production process and physical
properties of the new product, including weight changes, deflection and shrinkage, were studied. The advantage
of the practical prototype production over the traditional GFRP production is that the processing time can be
improved up to 32% because of no hand lay-up process involved. From the economic analysis and an
environmental viewpoint, to promote the recycling of NMF as the filler material in FRP furniture product,
government subsidy is necessary to motivate manufacturers to initiate the new product.