ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF THE REPLACEMENT OF FIBER GLASS COMPONENTS BY ABS (ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE STYRENE) IN A BUS MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Abstract

The use of plastic (ABS) or composite (glass fiber reinforced polymers) parts has always aroused the interest of industry engineers from different areas mainly due to its low specific weight combined with good stiffness and endurance. The use of ABS or glass fiber composite components is quite significant in the general industry and is replacing the use of metal plates in many cases. Such materials have mechanical properties that justify their use, however, their recycling of those, differently of metal plates, depends on each type of raw material and condition of the residue after processing the final product. This article presents particularities of manufacturing of components in ABS and fiber glass composite which are used in a bus manufacturing company in southern Brazil, with the intention of addressing the environmental aspects of the case. Based on the above theme is agreed that the fiber glass composite are extremely useful and have a big market in the lightweight materials industry, however, one should also pay attention to the dangers that the fiber glass represents to the environment. Therefore, the ABS is advantageous because it is a thermoplastic polymer (100% recyclable), alloying return to the process as raw material directly. Keywords: Fiber Glass, ABS, Recycling, Reuse, Bodywork.