The potential for reuse of plastics recovered from solid wastes

Plastics in solid wastes is a problem of growing concern. Recycling of wastes is currently believed to be the most acceptable form of disposal in the long run; however, this route is known to be especially difficult for plastics. Recycling would be easier if the various generic types present in solid wastes, mainly polyethylene, polystyrene and poly (vinyl chloride), could be isolated; however, this would be very difficult and expensive. This is a first report on research aimed at evaluating the potential of recycling plastics as a polymer blend of the various generic types. This approach suffers from the difficulty that the different plastics are incompatible and the blend has poor mechanical properties. The extent of this problem is documented with data on many ternary blends employing virgin polyethylene, polystyrene and poly (vinyl chloride) of numerous grades likely to be found in solid wastes. Property degradation was found to be more severe as the complexity of the blend increased, indicating that general municipal wastes could be reused only in very low grade applications, whereas certain commercial wastes might have brighter prospects. Strategies for improving blend properties are outlined.     

Rheological and mechanical properties of composites made from wood flour and recycled LDPE/HDPE blend

The effect of compounding method is studied with respect to the rheological behavior and mechanical properties of composites made of wood flour and a blend of two main components of plastics waste in municipal solid waste, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The effects of recycling process on the rheological behavior of LDPE and HDPE blends were investigated. Initially, samples of virgin LDPE and HDPE were thermo-mechanically degraded twice under controlled conditions in an extruder. The recycled materials and wood flour were then compounded by two different mixing methods: simultaneous mixing of all components and pre-mixing, including the blending of polymers in molten state, grinding and subsequent compounding with wood flour. The rheological and mechanical properties of the LDPE/HDPE blend and resultant composites were determined. The results showed that recycling increased the complex viscosity of the LDPE/HDPE blend and it exhibited miscible behavior in a molten state. Rheological testing indicated that the complex viscosity and storage modulus of the composites made by pre-mixing method were higher than that made by the simultaneous method. The results also showed that melt pre-mixing of the polymeric matrix (recycled LDPE and HDPE) improved the mechanical properties of the wood–plastic composites.     

Compatibilization of commingled plastics with maleic anhydride modified polyethylenes and ultraviolet preirradiation

The improvement of the properties of commingled plastics was carried out with a prototype blend of Mexican municipal plastic waste with and without poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Compatibilizing agents such as high‐density, low‐density, and linear low‐density polyethylenes modified with maleic anhydride were used. The agents were prepared in the laboratory with peroxide, and their usefulness was compared with that of a commercially modified linear low‐density polyethylene. The blends with PVC were preirradiated with ultraviolet radiation for 12, 24, or 48 h to create oxidized groups to help in situ compatibilization during the blending step of the reactive extrusion process. Compatibilized materials showed a markedly more homogeneous morphology with improved mechanical properties: the elongation at break and impact strength increased with the compatibilization level. The presence of PVC in commingled plastics significantly reduced the beneficial effect of the maleic anhydride modified polyethylene as a compatibilizer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

焦炭与废塑料共混对电炉炼钢渣中FeO还原作用的探究

实验研究了冶金焦与高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)塑料共混物1 550℃对电炉炉渣(47%FeO)的还原作用。实验在卧式管式炉中进行,并与使用红外气体分析仪和多重气相色谱分析仪的烟气分析相结合。结果表明,与纯焦炭相比,焦炭/塑料共混物对炉渣的FeO还原速率明显提高,最大还原速率是纯焦炭的两倍以上。随着共混物中HDPE含量的增加,废气中的CO2含量降低了75%。此外,当使用焦炭与塑料共混物作为还原剂,金属的渗碳程度和硫去除率有了显著提高。高温下废塑料析氢反应提高了还原、渗碳和脱硫的速率。     

Modification of Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer Rubber by Some Thermoplastic Polymers

Abstract

Blends of ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber with thermoplastic polyolefins such as low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), high molecular weight polypropylene (PP), and polypropylene random copolymer grade (PP‐R) were prepared by melt mixing. The physico‐mechanical properties, equilibrium swelling in benzene, and aging properties of the binary blends were investigated, analyzing the effect of the rubber/thermoplastics ratio and the type of the thermoplastic material on these properties. The data obtained indicate that EPDM/PP‐R blend in 20/80 w/w% shows the highest physico‐mechanical properties with improved retained tensile strength at 90°C for 7 days. This blend ratio also gives excellent retained equilibrium swelling in benzene at room temperature for 7 days, although EPDM/LDPE blend in 80/20 w/w% imparts the highest retained elongation at break at 90°C for 7 days.     

Thermoplastic elastomers based on epoxidized natural rubber and high‐density polyethylene blends: Effect of blend compatibilizers on the mechanical and morphological properties

Epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) with a level of epoxide groups of 20 mol % was prepared via the performic epoxidation method. It was then used to blend with high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) at various blend ratios. Three types of blend compatibilizers were prepared. These included a graft copolymer of HDPE and maleic anhydride (MA; i.e., HDPE‐g‐MA) and two types of phenolic modified HDPEs using phenolic resins SP‐1045 and HRJ‐10518 (i.e., PhSP‐PE and PhHRJ‐PE), respectively. We found that the blend with compatibilizer exhibited superior tensile strength, hardness, and set properties to that of the blend without compatibilizer. The ENR and HDPE interaction via the link of compatibilizer molecules was the polar functional groups of the compatibilizer with the oxirane groups in the ENR molecules. Also, another end of the compatibilizer molecules (i.e., HDPE segments) was compatibilizing with the HDPE molecules in the blend components. The blend with compatibilizer also showed smaller phase morphology than the blend without compatibilizer. Among the three types of the blend compatibilizer, HDPE‐g‐MA provided the blend with the greatest strength and hardness properties but the lowest set properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Polylactic acid and its blends with petroleum‐based resins: Effects of reprocessing and recycling on properties

Environmental and economic reasons make the use of bioplastics and biocomposites increasingly coveted in sectors other than packaging. Recycling of all wasted or rejected durable plastics is highly desired and biobased plastics are no exception. Therefore, the investigation of pre‐ and post‐consumer recycling of products made from biobased plastics is of great interest. Polylactic acid (PLA) and its blends have been chosen for this study because it is an excellent representative of mass‐produced bioplastics for industrial applications. As part of the “Sustainable Recycling of ‘Green’ Plastics” project, the current study addresses the durability issues related to the reprocessing and post‐consumer recycling of a PLA virgin resin and two commercially available blends of PLA namely one with polycarbonate (PC) and one with polyethylene (PE). The materials were investigated using methods that simulate post‐processing and post‐consumer recycling. Accelerated ageing was performed at elevated temperature and humidity to simulate the usage period of the materials. The materials were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and their mechanical strength was evaluated by tensile and impact testing. The flow properties of the materials were characterized by the melt flow index (MFI). Multiple processing of pure PLA did not affect the impact strength or the glass transition temperature (T_g), but caused crystallization and increase in the MFI, indicating that degradation occurred during processing. DSC thermograms of the blends revealed that the components in the blends were not miscible. Multiple processing of the blends did not significantly affect the elastic modulus of the materials, but affected the elongation at break. The results indicated that multiple processing of the PLA/HDPE blend caused increased dispersion and thus increased elongation at break, while the dominating mechanism in the PLA/PC blend was degradation that caused a decrease in elongation at break. Post‐consumer recycling of the PLA/PC blend was simulated and the results clearly showed that ageing corresponding to one year of use caused a significant degradation of PLA. Pure PLA was severely degraded after only one ageing cycle. Although the PLA/PC blend showed some improved mechanical properties and resistance to degradation compared with pure PLA, one ageing cycle still caused a severe degradation of the PLA and even the PC was degraded as indicated by the formation of small amounts of bisphenol A. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43916.     

Effect of maleic anhydride grafting on nanokaolinclay reinforced polystyrene/high density polyethylene blends

Nanofillers have revolutionized the field of polymer modification. Modification of polymer blends with nanofillers opens up a myriad of opportunities to develop materials of choice. Polystyrene (PS) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) are two widely used standard plastics. To generate high modulus and strength a PS rich blend of PS/HDPE (80/20) was selected and the blend was modified using low cost nanokaolin clay, a 1:1 alumina silicate. The effect of maleic anhydride grafted PS/PE as compatibilizer in this system was studied. The incorporation of the compatibilizer improves the mechanical properties. This can be correlated with better interfacial adhesion as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy. The optimum in these properties was obtained at a compatibilizer concentration of 10–15%. The composites were characterized byX‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetric, and dynamic mechanical analyzer techniques. This study shows that kaolin can be used as potential modifier of PS/HDPE blend. POLYM. COMPOS. 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Stress–strain behavior of polyolefin blends

As part of a study on reuse of plastics as blends, the yield tensile strength, elongation at break, and the modulus of melt blends of low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and polypropylene have been studied over the entire ternary composition range. The modulus and strength are nearly monotonic functions of blend composition. The contribution of the pure components to these properties is roughly additive. The elongation at break is a more complex function of composition in that minima are observed near the center of the triangular composition diagram and on each of the three binary legs. The response is nearly symmetrical along two of the binary legs but is skewed toward high-density polyethylene for blends of high- and low-density polyethylene. The deterioration of elongation produced by blending is much less severe for polyolefins than observed for other blend systems. This, combined with the observed additivity of strength, make polyolefin blends mechanically superior to blends of other plastics found in wastes. This fact is interpreted in terms of compatibility and amorphous phase interactions which are likely for polyolefins. Modification of polyolefin blends by addition of a rubbery copolymer of ethylene and propylene produced large improvements in elongation at break for some compositions.     

Mechanical properties and morphology of polyethylene–polypropylene blends with controlled thermal history

The effect of time–temperature treatment on the mechanical properties and morphology of polyethylene–polypropylene (PE–PP) blends was studied to establish a relationship among the thermal treatment, morphology, and mechanical properties. The experimental techniques used were polarized optical microscopy with hot‐stage, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile testing. A PP homopolymer was used to blend with various PEs, including high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), and very low density polyethylene (VLDPE). All the blends were made at a ratio of PE:PP = 80:20. Thermal treatment was carried out at temperatures between the crystallization temperatures of PP and PEs to allow PP to crystallize first from the blends. A very diffuse PP spherulite morphology in the PE matrix was formed in partially miscible blends of LLDPE–PP even though PP was present at only 20% by mass. Droplet‐matrix structures were developed in other blends with PP as dispersed domains in a continuous PE matrix. The SEM images displayed a fibrillar structure of PP spherulite in the LLDPE–PP blends and large droplets of PP in the HDPE–PP blend. The DSC results showed that the crystallinity of PP was increased in thermally treated samples. This special time–temperature treatment improved tensile properties for all PE–PP blends by improving the adhesion between PP and PE and increasing the overall crystallinity. In particular, in the LLDPE–PP blends, tensile properties were improved enormously because of a greater increase in the interfacial adhesion induced by the diffuse spherulite and fibrillar structure. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 1151–1164, 2000     

Compatibilizers for recycling of the plastic mixture wastes. II. The effect of a compatibilizer for binary blends on the properties of ternary blends

In this article, we discuss the effect of a compatibilizer for binary blends on the properties of ternary blends composed of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene (PS) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) virgin polymers with a simulated waste plastics fraction. Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), ethylene–propylene rubber (EPR), and their 1/1 (w/w) mixture were tested as compatibilizers for the HDPE/PP/PVC ternary blend. CPE, styrene‐ethylene‐propylene block copolymer (SEP), or their 1/1 (w/w) mixture were tested as compatibilizers for the HDPE/PS/PVC ternary blend. The composition of the ternary blends were fixed at 8/1/1 by weight ratio. The amount of the compatibilizer was 3 phr. Rheological, mechanical, and thermal properties were measured. For the 8/1/1 HDPE/PP/PVC ternary blends, the tensile strength was slightly decreased, but the impact strength was significantly increased by adding EPR, CPE, or their mixture. EPR exhibited the most significant impact modification effect for the ternary blends. In a similar way, for 8/1/1 HDPE/PS/PVC ternary blends, on adding SEP, CPE, or their mixture, the tensile strength was slightly decreased, but the impact strength was noticeably increased. It was found that the SEP worked much better as an impact modifier for the ternary blends than CPE or the SEP/CPE mixture did. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 1048–1053, 2000     

Recycling of commingled plastics by cellulosic reinforcement

In this article, a model study was conducted on the effect of combining cellulose on the properties of virgin and/or recycled commingled plastics with a simulated waste‐plastics fraction composed of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) (PE/PP/PS/PVC = 7/1/1/1 by weight ratio). The compatibilizing effect of maleic anhydride‐grafted styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene block copolymer (SEBS‐g‐MAH) for the cellulose‐reinforced commingled blends was also investigated. Commingled blends were prepared in a table kneader internal mixer. Mechanical properties were measured by using a universal testing machine. Thermal stability was measured by a thermogravimetric analyzer. It was found that the addition of more than 12.5% cellulose into the commingled blends was effective to enhance the mechanical properties of the virgin and recycled blends. The thermal stability as well as the mechanical properties of the commingled blends were much improved by the reactive blending of cellulose with the commingled blends by peroxide and maleic anhydride. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1531–1538, 1999     

Chlorinated polyethylene modification of blends derived from waste plastics. Part II: Mechanism of modification

Previous publications have shown that the stress-strain behavior, especially ductility, of some incompatible polymer blends are greatly improved by the addition of slurry produced chlorinated polyethylenes (CPE). This improvement is greatest for blends containing polyethylene and PVC. The most effective CPE's have some residual polyethylene crystallinity and may be described as block-like polymers with ethylene sequences and chlorine containing sequences. It is postulated that CPE addition improves the blend properties by increasing the adhesion between domains in the blend via interactions with the blend components. This hypothesis was explored by thermal analysis, dynamic mechanical testing, adhesion studies, and microscopy. It is concluded that the interaction of CPE with polyethylene derives from compatibility of rather long methylene sequences in CPE with the polyethylene which results in good adhesive bonding. The interaction of CPE with PVC may not be owing to segmental compatibility but simply good mutual adhesion between similar polar materials. There is no interaction or adhesion between CPE and polystyrene as would be expected. CPE addition to blends is accompanied by a decrease in component domain size. The relationship between CPE structure and its effectiveness as a blend modifier is discussed.     

The compatibility of linear low density polyethylene-polypropylene blends: Viscosity ratio plots

Blends of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and polypropylene (PP) show diverse mechanical property behavior in the published literature. The main objectives of this work were: to investigate the effect of viscosity of the component phases on the mechanical properties of such blends and to use the results to obtain a method for compatibilizing diaper manufacturing waste. The significant result of the study was that although LLDPE/PP blends are often termed “incompatible,” when viscosity of the components was more closely matched to each other, increases of as much as 50% in tensile strength and modulus were observed over the “rule of mixtures” line. Also, scanning electron microscopy then showed a more diffuse interface between the component phases. Three dimensional views of plots of viscosity ratio of the blend components as a function of temperature and shear rate were used to demonstrate the closer matching of viscosities for the blend components of the higher performing blends. In processing diaper manufacturing waste, addition of a high molecular weight PP in a manufacturing scale single screw extruder, to provide a closer match of viscosities of the blend components, significantly improved mechanical properties.     

Use of postconsumer polyethylene in blends with polyamide 6: Effects of the extrusion method and the compatibilizer

Blends of polyamide and high‐density polyethylene show adequate properties for a large range of applications: they are used for the production of filaments, containers, and molding resins. The effect of the addition of 2 wt % of a compatibilizer, maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene, to the blend was studied and compared to the use of postconsumer polyethylene. The samples were extruded with single‐ and twin‐screw extruders with 25, 50, or 75 wt % f polyethylene, and the test specimens, molded by injection, were characterized by stress–strain tests, thermal properties, and morphologies. Processing the blends with postconsumer polyethylene in both extruders improved the mechanical properties in comparison to the blends processed with high‐density polyethylene and the compatibilizer. The morphologies of these blends showed that there was a decrease in the domain size of the disperse phase with the use of the compatibilizer or postconsumer polyethylene. The results indicate that for this blend, postconsumer polyethylene substituted, with advantages, for the necessity of a compatibilizer and the use of the high‐density polyethylene. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008.     

增塑剂对聚乳酸/热塑性淀粉共混物结构与性能的影响

采用柠檬酸三丁酯(TBC)、聚乙二醇(PEG)增塑聚乳酸(PLA)/热塑性淀粉(TPS)共混体系,调节PLA的流变性能,改善PLA与TPS相容性、熔融共混特性和共混物的微观结构和力学性能.结果表明:TBC的改性效果比PEG更佳;TBC能增加TPS分散均匀性,相分散尺寸明显变小;TBC改性PLA/TPS的拉伸强度和断裂伸长率明显提高.吸水率较小.     

Effect of propylation of starch with different degrees of substitution on the properties and characteristics of starch‐low density polyethylene blend films

Corn starch was modified by propylation and degree of substitution (DS) of four starch modifications were 0.61, 1.56, 2.27, and 2.51. Different films were prepared by blending native and propylated starch with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE). The mechanical properties, thermal properties, water absorption capacity, and biodegradability of the blend films varied with the quantity of starch as well as DS. Tensile strength, elongation, and melt flow index of propylated starch blend films were higher compared to the corresponding native starch blend film. These properties improved with increase in DS from 1.56 to 2.51. Propylated starch blend films were found thermally stable than native starch blend films. There was a decrease in water absorption capacity for the films containing propylated starch at high DS. Enzymatic and soil burial degradation results showed that biodegradability of starch‐LDPE films increased with the increase in the starch concentration but it decreased with increase in the DS. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Effect of Addition of HDPE and LDPE on Rheological,Mechanical, Elastic and Compatibility Behavior of SBR/NBR Rubber Blend System

The influence of adding low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) to different ratios of styrene butadiene copolymer (SBR) and acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer (NBR) rubber blend has been studied. The experimental methods performed are based on measurements of rheological, mechanical, elastic properties, phase morphology, density, ultrasonic studies, thermal stability and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results showed that rheological and mechanical properties of the blend are improved, especially at SBR/NBR blend (50/50), when incorporated with LDPE. Results indicated also a clear stability of the cure rate index (CRI) of the blend. Morphological structure analysis obtained from scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed a reduced domain size for blends containing LDPE. Ultrasonic and density investigations revealed the efficiency of adding LDPE in improving the compatibility behavior of this blend. Results also showed an improvement in elastic properties and thermal stability by adding LDPE. DSC scans of the blends filled with LDPE showed high shift in the glass transition temperature which can be attributed to the increased strength at the interface.     

Chemical recycling of plastics using sub- and supercritical fluids

The development of chemical recycling of waste plastics by decomposition reactions in sub- and supercritical fluids is reviewed. Decomposition reactions proceed rapidly and selectively using supercritical fluids compared to conventional processes. Condensation polymerization plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, and polyurethane, are relatively easily depolymerized to their monomers in supercritical water or alcohols. The monomer components are recovered in high yield. Addition polymerization plastics such as phenol resin, epoxy resin, and polyethylene, are also decomposed to monomer components with or without catalysts. Pilot scale or commercial scale plants have been developed and are operating with sub- and supercritical fluids.     

Effect of ethylene-propylene copolymer with residual PE crystallinity on mechanical properties and morphology of PP/HDPE blends

Morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) blends modified by ethylene-propylene copolymers (EPC) with residual PE crystallinity were investigated. The EPC showed different interfacial behavior in PP/HDPE blends of different compositions. A 25/75 blend of PP/HDPE (weight ratio) showed improved tensile strength and elongation at break at low EPC content (5 wt %). For the PP/HDPE = 50/50 blend, the presence of the EPC component tended to make the PP dispresed phase structure transform into a cocontinuous one, probably caused by improved viscosity matching of the two components. Both tensile strength and elongation at break were improved at EPC content of 5 wt %. For PP/HDPE 75/25 blends, the much smaller dispersed HDPE phase and significantly improved elongation at break resulted from compatibilization by EPC copolymers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.