Valorization of waste Ti6Al4V chips for epoxy composite production: A circular economy approach

With increasing awareness of the circular economy, utilizing waste materials from titanium alloys for polymer composites offers numerous advantages. In this study, medical-grade titanium alloy, Ti6Al4V chips were finely ground and mixed with epoxy resin to produce particulate-reinforced composites. The tensile strength showed a 32% improvement compared to the neat epoxy. Similar results were observed for the flexural test, showing a 36% improvement in the composites. Moreover, a substantial 96% increase in thermal conductivity was observed, significantly expanding the potential application areas for the epoxy-based composites. These improvements were achieved without the use of superfine nanoparticles or other expensive additives. This underscores the potential of a circular approach in the materials world, offering many new opportunities while promoting sustainability.