VARNISH PRODUCTION FROM POLYSTYRENE WAST

Abstract

Varnish can be produced from both natural and synthetic resins. The main constituents of conventional varnish are resins, drying oil and solvent. Then the varnish is produced by mixing them at specified temperature. Our research work focused on the production of varnish from polystyrene waste and solvent. Three different polystyrene samples were prepared and dissolved using naphthalene as a solvent with (30%, 40% and 50% of w/v). The experimental work was conducted by using three level of temperatures (700C, 750C and 800C),three ratios (1:2, 1:2.5 and 1:3) and solvent namely naphthalene. The characteristics of produced varnish from PS waste were determined for scratch resistance, cracking, non-volatile content, waterproof property and drying time. To assess the quality of the varnish, a comparison with some common varnish was made based on water profess, NVC, pH, scratch resistance and drying time. Based on theresults obtained the varnish with 30% or 1:3 of w/v was chosen as the best one among others. It is found that the dissolution of polystyrene at 700C is appropriate in varnish production due to little significance change when operating at higher temperatures relative to energy cost issue for temperature rise. The physical parameters for the best varnish namely drying time and non-volatile content were found to be 30minutes,30%. The drying time and NVC agreed with the standard of commercial varnish.The scratch resistance test, cracking test and waterproofing property test were also used to check the protective property of the varnishes and showed that this varnish with 30 % w/v resisted the scratch and water was spread on the coated wood samples and it was found that all the wood samples did not change their appearance. Also it is analyzed that solvent taken was employed as a best solvent in varnish production from polystyrene waste