Preparation of Composite Materials Based on Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene Flame-Retardant Plastic Obtained from Electronic Waste and Fly Ash Microspheres, with Thermogravimetric/Differential Scanning Calorimetry Analysis and a Study of the Mechanic

In this study, we investigate the potential of using acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene flame-retardant (ABS FR) plastic obtained from electronic waste to create a new composite material through the addition of fly ash microspheres obtained from the combustion of thermal coal at Ekibastuzskaya GRES 1, with the resulting material being suitable for the manufacturing of housings and other elements of electronic equipment. For this purpose, five composite compositions with microsphere/plastic ratios of 10/90, 20/80, 30/70, 40/60, and 50/50 were developed, which were then processed in an extruder at 250 °C to obtain test specimens. The thermal and mechanical properties of the specimens were compared with a control sample developed using ABS FR plastic from electronic waste without the addition of microspheres. The obtained materials, up to a microsphere/plastic ratio of 20/80, demonstrate increased mechanical properties and thermal stability with a simultaneous decrease in material density, while a further increase in the concentration of microspheres leads to a gradual decrease in mechanical properties. These properties make it possible to use the obtained composite for producing housings and other elements of electronic equipment.