Application of phase dispersion–crosslinking synergism on recycling commingled plastic wastes

A tetra‐component blend, consisting of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), was studied as a model system of commingled plastic wastes (LDPE/PVC/PP/PS, mass ratio: 70/10/10/10). Effects of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM), styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS), and their mixture (CPE/EPDM/SBS, mass ratio: 2/2/2) on the mechanical properties and morphology of the system were investigated. With addition of several elastomers and their mixture, the tensile strength of the blends decreased slightly, although both the elongation at break and the impact strength increased. Among these elastomers, EPDM exhibited the most significant impact modification effect for the tetra‐component blends. SBS and the mixture have a good phase‐dispersion effect for the tetra‐component blend. By adding a crosslinking agent [dicumyl peroxide (DCP)], the mechanical properties of the tetra‐component blends also increased. When either SBS or the mixture was added to the blend together with DCP, the probability that the crosslinking agent (DCP) would be at the interface improved because of the phase‐dispersion effect of SBS. Therefore, more co‐crosslinked products will form between LDPE and other components. Accordingly, remarkable improvement of the interfacial adhesion and hence the mechanical properties of the tetra‐component blends occurred. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2947–2952, 2001     

Development of polybutadiene (BR)–polyethylene (LDPE) blend based microcellular soles for low‐temperature applications

Microcellular (MC) soles based on polybutadiene (BR) and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) blends for low‐temperature applications were developed. A part of BR in BR–LDPE blend was replaced by natural rubber (NR) for property improvement. The BR–NR–LDPE blend‐based MC sole shows good technical properties. Sulphur curing and DCP curing were tried in BR–LDPE and NR–BR–LDPE blends. Study shows that sulphur‐cured MC sheets possess better technical properties than DCP‐cured MC sheets. 90/10 BR–LDPE and 60/30/10 BR–NR–LDPE blend combinations are found to be suitable for low‐temperature applications. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 277–281, 2000     

Rheological,thermal, and morphological properties of low‐density polyethylene/ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene and linear low‐density polyethylene/ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene blends

The dynamic rheological behavior of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) blends and linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)/UHMWPE blends was measured in a parallel‐plate rheometer at 180, 190, and 200°C. Analysis of the log–additivity rule, Cole–Cole plots, Han curves, and Van Gurp curves of the LDPE/UHMWPE blends indicated that the blends were miscible in the melt. In contrast, the rheological properties of LLDPE/UHMWPE showed that the miscibility of the blends was decided by the composition of LLDPE. The differential scanning calorimetry results and scanning electron microscopy photos of the LLDPE/UHMWPE blends were consistent with the rheological properties, whereas with regard to the thermal and morphological properties of LDPE/UHMWPE blends, the results reveal three endothermic peaks and phase separation, which indicated a liquid–solid phase separation in the LDPE/UHMWPE blends. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effects of polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) on thermal properties,morphology, and tensile properties of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and corn starch blends

The effects of polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) on the thermal properties, morphology, and tensile properties of blends of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and corn starch were studied with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Instron Universal Testing Machine, respectively. Corn starch–LDPE blends with different starch content and with or without the addition of PE‐g‐MA were prepared with a lab‐scale twin‐screw extruder. The crystallization temperature of LDPE–corn starch–PE‐g‐MA blends was similar to that of pure LDPE but higher than that of LDPE–corn starch blends. The interfacial properties between corn starch and LDPE were improved after PE‐g‐MA addition, as evidenced by the structure morphology revealed by SEM. The tensile strength and elongation at break of corn starch–LDPE–PE‐g‐MA blends were greater than those of LDPE–corn starch blends, and their differences became more pronounced at higher starch contents. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2904–2911, 2003     

Thermal and mechanical properties of uncrosslinked and chemically crosslinked polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer blends

Uncrosslinked and chemically crosslinked binary blends of low‐ and high‐density polyethylene (PE), with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), were prepared by a melt‐mixing process using 0–3 wt % tert‐butyl cumyl peroxide (BCUP). The uncrosslinked blends revealed two distinct unchanged melting peaks corresponding to the individual components of the blends, but with a reduced overall degree of crystallinity. The crosslinking further reduced crystallinity, but enhanced compatibility between EVA and polyethylene, with LDPE being more compatible than HDPE. Blended with 20 wt % EVA, the EVA melting peak was almost disappeared after the addition of BCUP, and only the corresponding PE melting point was observed at a lowered temperature. But blended with 40% EVA, two peaks still existed with a slight shift toward lower temperatures. Changes of mechanical properties with blending ratio, crosslinking, and temperature had been dominated by the extent of crystallinity, crosslinking degree, and morphology of the blend. A good correlation was observed between elongation‐at‐break and morphological properties. The blends with higher level of compatibility showed less deviation from the additive rule of mixtures. The deviation became more pronounced for HDPE/EVA blends in the phase inversion region, while an opposite trend was observed for LDPE/EVA blends with co‐continuous morphology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3261–3270, 2007     

Effect of the various coupling agents on the mechanical and physical properties of thermoplastic‐bagasse fiber composites

Various types of bonding agents have been tried with blends of bagasse fibers and some thermoplastics such as low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These bonding agents are, namely, pentaerythritol tetracrylate (PETA), 1,6 hexandiol diacrylate (HDA), and dicumyl peroxide (DCP). In addition, a traditional coupling agents 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxy silane (AMPS) and di‐aminopropyltrimetoxy silane (DAMPS) were included for comparison. Electron beam (EB) irradiation is applied only for LDPE and HDPE at 40 and 10 kGy, respectively, before mixing with bagasse fibers. The data obtained reveal that incorporation of bonding agents remarkably increases the mechanical properties for all samples under investigation; the maximum improvement is observed in LDPE followed by HDPE, PP, PS, and PVC composites. Also, the physical properties enhanced but not at the same degree as mechanical properties. Among the tested bonding agents, it was found that PETA, DCP followed by DAMPS have highest efficiency in LDPE, whereas in case of HDPE, EB radiation was higher than PETA followed by DCP. PETA was superior in case of PS composites. Furthermore, PETA and HDA experienced higher efficiency than DAMPS and AMPS in case of PP and PVC composites. Comparison between the properties of thermoplastic composites and medium density fiberboard (MDF) reveals that most of the properties of thermoplastics composites are better than MDF. However, modulus of rupture of MDF was found to be slightly higher than thermoplastics except for PVC composite. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanochemical improvement of the flame‐retardant and mechanical properties of zinc borate and zinc borate–aluminum trihydrate‐filled poly(vinyl chloride)

In this study, the effect of the high‐energy mechanical milling of a mixture of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with zinc borate (ZB) or ZB–aluminum trihydrate (ATH), a mixture of ZB and ATH, on the flame‐retardant and mechanical properties of ZB and ZB–ATH filled PVC was examined. The high‐energy mechanical milling of PVC/ZB and the PVC/ZB–ATH mixture produced chemical bonding between PVC and ZB or ZB–ATH, increasing the interfacial interaction of PVC/ZB and PVC/ZB–ATH blends, which resulted in a great increase in the limiting oxygen index, the impact and yield strengths, and the elongation at break of PVC/ZB and PVC/ZB–ATH blends. The results from ultraviolet spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy show that mechanochemical modification of ZB and ZB–ATH much more effectively suppressed the release of aromatic compounds in PVC/ZB and PVC/ZB–ATH blends during burning. Mechanochemical modification provided an excellent route for the improvement of the flame‐retardant and mechanical properties of flame‐retardant‐additive‐filled PVC. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 753–762, 2003     

Mechanical properties and morphology of PP/ABS blends compatibilized with PP‐g‐2‐HEMA

Polypropylene (PP) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends of different composition were prepared using a single‐screw extruder. The binary blend of PP/ABS was observed to be incompatible and shows poor mechanical properties. PP‐g‐2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2‐HEMA) was used as a compatibilizer for the PP/ABS blends. The ternary compatibilized blends of PP/ABS/PP‐g‐2‐HEMA showed improvement in the mechanical properties. Electron micrographs of these blends showed a homogeneous and finer distribution of the dispersed phase. The mechanical performance increased particularly in the PP‐rich blend. The 2.5‐phr (part per hundred of resin) compatibilizer was observed to bring improvement to the properties. The suitability of various existing theoretical models for the predication of the tensile moduli of these blends was examined. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 72–78, 2003     

Core–shell particles designed for toughening poly(vinyl chloride)

A novel core–shell modifier (MOD) made up of polystyrene and poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) grafted on a crosslinked styrene‐co‐butadiene core was synthesized by emulsion polymerization. This modifier was used for enhancing effectively the impact ductility of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) without losing its transparency. The effects of the MOD on the properties of PVC/MOD blends were explored. It was found that the butyl acrylate (BA) content of the MOD was an important factor affecting the properties of PVC/MOD blends. The Izod impact strength of these blends reached 1200 J m^?1 when the MOD contained 40 wt% BA. The dispersion morphology of the MOD in the PVC matrix was investigated using transmission electron microscopy, with a uniform dispersion of the MOD with higher BA content being obtained. The toughening mechanism of PVC/MOD blends was also investigated. The presence of BA in the MOD enhanced the ductility of the PVC blends due to the increased amount of soft phase (PBA). The dispersion morphology indicated that the interfacial interaction between MOD particles and PVC matrix was improved due to the presence of PBA graft chain in the MOD. TEM of impact fracture samples showed that shear yielding of the PVC matrix and debonding of MOD particles were the major toughening mechanisms for the PVC/MOD blends. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of compatibilizer type and rubber‐wood sawdust content on the mechanical,morphological, and thermal properties of PVC/LDPE blend

This article aimed to investigate the mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of PVC/LDPE blend with and without the addition of compatibilizers. The effects of LDPE content, compatibilizer type and rubber‐wood sawdust loading on the properties of the blend were evaluated. The experimental results suggested that as the LDPE content was increased the mechanical properties of PVC‐LDPE blend progressively decreased due to poor interfacial adhesion. The continuity and compatibility between PVC and LDPE phases could be improved through three different types of compatibilizers which included chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) poly(methyl‐methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate) (PA20) and poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylate) (Elvaloy). The PA20 was found to be the most suitable compatibilizer for the blend. A radical transfer reaction was proposed in this work to explain the structure and thermal changes of the PVC in PVC‐LDPE blend. The decomposition temperature of PVC in the blend decreased with the loading of the PA20 and the wood sawdust. As the sawdust content was increased the tensile and flexural moduli increased with considerable decreased in the tensile, flexural and impact strength, a slight improvement being achieved if the PA20 was incorporated in the composite. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 598–606, 2006     

Study on compatibilization-crosslinking synergism in PVC/LDPE blends

Influences of nitrile rubber (NBR, acrylonitrile content 33.5 – 36.5 wt.-%) on the structure and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/low density polyethylene (LDPE) blends and its synergism with crosslinking agent have been studied. The addition of NBR to the blend is accompanied by a decrease in domain size and improvements in mechanical properties of the blend. When dicumyl peroxide (DCP) is added to the blend together with NBR, good synergism is caused and mechanical properties will improve dramatically. It is concluded that NBR can promote the phase dispersion of PVC and LDPE and their interfacial adhesion. Then, the probability of DCP existing at the interface will increase and more co-crosslinked products will form. Therefore, compatibilization and crosslinking are both exerted sufficiently.     

Influence of Phase Dispersant on the Cocross-Linking of Polyvinyl Chloride with Low Density Polyethylene

The cocross-linking of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) was studied by THF extraction, FTIR, and Dynamic rheological analysis. It is found that dicumyl peroxide (DCP) could neither induce the cross-linking of PVC itself nor cause PVC chains to cocross-link with LDPE. Butadiene rubber (BR), as a solid phase dispersant (SPD) can not give a hand to the cocross-linking. However, NBR, both as a compatibilizer and SPD, can induce PVC to be crosslinked or cocross-linked with LDPE initiated by DCP. The composite cross-linking agent that consists of DCP, triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC), and magnesium oxide (MgO) is easy to induce PVC to cross-link itself or cocross-link with LDPE.     

Morphology evolution of immiscible LDPE/PVC blends in the presence of compatibilizer and phase dispersant

Phase dispersion and coalescence in low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (70/30) blends influenced by compatibilizer and phase dispersant was studied. It was found that the morphology evolution of blends is sensitive to not only processing conditions (shear strength and mixing time) but also the added compatibilizer or phase dispersant. In our conditions, the stable phase morphology of each blend is obtained after mixing 15–25 min. In addition, the dispersed PVC phase in blends is easy to aggregate when the mixing rotor speed changed from high to low for the binary blends. As a compatibilizer, chlorided polyethylene (CPE) or nitrile rubber (NBR) can stabilize the morphology and hinder the coalescence of the dispersed PVC phase when added to the blends. However, the phase dispersant butadiene rubber (BR) or styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) could not stabilize the phase structure, although it could accelerate phase dispersion. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 763–772, 2004     

Structure–property relationships of lightly chemical crosslinked poly(vinyl chloride) thermoplastic elastomer

Chemical crosslinked poly(vinyl chloride) (C‐PVC) was synthesized by vinyl chloride suspension polymerization in the presence of diallyl phthalate (DAP) and plasticized to prepare poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials. The chemical crosslinking and physical crosslinking structure in chemical crosslinked PVC‐TPE were investigated. It showed that the gel fraction and the crosslinking density of gel increased as the feed concentration of DAP increased. C‐PVC prepared by VC/DAP copolymerization was lightly crosslinked as compared with irradiation crosslinked PVC. Physical entanglements would greatly influence the crosslinking density of gel when the gel fraction was high. Chemical crosslinking had little influence on the recrystallization behavior of PVC. A structure model of chemical crosslinked PVC‐TPE was proposed, in which chemical networks acted with physical networks cooperatively. It also showed that chemical crosslinking and physical crosslinking influenced the processability and mechanical properties of chemical crosslinked PVC‐TPE cooperatively. Although the processability of PVC‐TPE deteriorated with chemical crosslinking, the dimension stability and elasticity of PVC‐TPE were improved as the permanent chemical networks were introduced. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 868–874, 2000     

Effects of high‐energy electron beam on low‐density polyethylene materials containing EVA

A series of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) blends with different amounts of ethylene–vinyl–acetate (EVA) was prepared and irradiated with 10 MeV electron beam in the range of 0–250 kGy at room temperature in air. EVA was used as a compatibilizer and softener in four different amounts: 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt %, based on polyethylene (PE). The crosslinking of the samples was studied on the basis of gel‐content measurements as well as some thermal and mechanical properties of the specimens. The results indicated that the LDPE and LDPE–EVA blends could be crosslinked by a high‐energy electron beam, of which their thermal and mechanical properties changed effectively, however, because of EVA content of the polymer; the blends were more sensitive to lower doses of radiation. These studies were carried out to obtain a suitable compound for heat‐shrinkable tubes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1049–1052, 2004     

Interfacial adhesion evaluation in (low‐density polyethylene)/elastomer blends

Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) with different elastomers at a ratio of 50/50 wt% blends was prepared by using a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. Three kinds of elastomers were used: ground tire rubber (GTR), partially crosslinked butyl rubber (Kalar^®), and styrene‐butadiene‐rubber block copolymer (SBS; Kraton^®). For better characterization of interaction between polyethylene and elastomer, influence of the type of elastomer on the properties of compositions LDPE/elastomer was determined. In the studies, two types of partially crosslinked butyl rubber (differing over filler content and Mooney viscosity) and two types of SBS (differing over structure: linear/branched) were used. The influence of kind and type of elastomer on static mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness), dynamic mechanical properties, thermal properties, and morphology of obtained compositions were characterized. LDPE/linear SBS copolymer blend had the best mechanical properties, as a result of better compatibility in comparison with other investigated blends. The reason for improved compatibility was an increase of mobility of chain segments in the amorphous phase of polyethylene associated with their partial plasticization by flexible polybutadiene blocks present in SBS copolymer. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:492–500, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Rheological and thermal properties of single‐site polyethylene blends

Branched polyethylenes, low‐density polyethylenes (LDPE1 and LDPE2) or long‐chain‐branched very low density polyethylenes (VLDPE2), were blended with very low density polyethylenes containing short branches (VLDPE1 and VLDPE3). The rheological and thermal measurements of the pure copolymers and their blends (VLDPE1–LDPE1, VLDPE1–LDPE2, VLDPE1–VLDPE2, and VLDPE2–VLDPE3) were taken by controlled stress rheometry and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. The shear‐thinning effect became stronger with increasing long‐chain‐branched polymer compositions when it was correlated with the flow behavior index, and the extent of shear thinning was different for each blend set. Stronger shear thinning and a linear composition dependence of the zero‐shear viscosity were observed for the VLDPE1–LDPE1 and VLDPE1–LDPE2 blends. These blends followed the log additivity rule, and this indicated that they were miscible in the melt at all compositions. In contrast, a deviation from the log additivity rule was observed for the VLDPE1–VLDPE2 blend compositions with 50% or less VLDPE2 and for the VLDPE3–VLDPE2 blends with 50% or more VLDPE2. The thermal properties of the blends were consistent with the rheological properties. VLDPE1–LDPE1 and VLDPE1–LDPE2 showed that these blends were characteristic of a single‐component system at all compositions, whereas the phase separation (immiscibility) was detected only for VLDPE1–VLDPE2 blends with 50% or less VLDPE2 and for VLDPE3–VLDPE2 blends with 50% or more VLDPE2. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 1549–1557, 2005     

Analysis of low‐density polyethylene‐g‐poly(vinyl chloride) copolymers formed in poly(vinyl chloride)/low‐density polyethylene melt blends with gel permeation chromatography and solid‐state 13C‐NMR

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and solid‐state ¹³C‐NMR techniques were used to analyze the structural changes of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in blends of a low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and PVC during melt blending. The GPC results showed that the weight‐average molecular weight (M_w) of PVC increased with LDPE content up to 13.0 wt % and then decreased at a LDPE content of 16.7 wt %, whereas the number‐average molecular weight remained unchanged for all of LDPE contents used. The ¹³C‐NMR results suggest that the increase in M_w was associated with the formation of a LDPE‐g‐PVC structure, resulting from a PVC and LDPE macroradical cross‐recombination reaction during melt blending. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3167–3172, 2004     

Study on the properties of polyethylene–octene elastomer/wood flour blends

In the present study, the properties of metallocene polyethylene–octene elastomer (POE) and wood flour (WF) blends were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), an Instron mechanical tester, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the mechanical properties of POE were obviously lowered, due to the poor compatibility between the two phases, when it was blended with WFs. A fine dispersion and homogeneity of WF in the polymer matrix could be obtained when acrylic acid‐grafted POE (POE‐g‐AA) was used to replace POE for manufacture of the blends. This better dispersion is due to the formation of branched and crosslinked macromolecules since the POE‐g‐AA copolymer had carboxyl groups to react with the hydroxyls. This is reflected in the mechanical and thermal properties of the blends. In comparison with a pure POE/WF blend, the increase in tensile strength at break was remarkable for the POE‐g‐AA/WF blend. The POE‐g‐AA/WF blends are more easily processed than are the POE/WF blends, since the former had a lower melt viscosity than that of the latter. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1919–1924, 2003     

Study of heat shrinkability of crosslinked low‐density polyethylene/poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) blends

In this study, the heat‐shrinkage property in polymer was induced by first compounding low‐density polyethylene/poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) (LDPE/EVA) blends with various amounts of peroxide in a twin‐screw extruder at about 130°C. The resulting granules were molded to shape and chemically crosslinked by compression molding. A process of heating–stretching–cooling was then performed on the samples while on a tensile machine. Shrinkability and effective parameters were also investigated using thermal mechanical analysis. The results showed that the gel fraction was higher for the sample of higher EVA content with the same amount of dicumyl peroxide (DCP). A decrease in the melting point and heat of fusion (ΔH_f), as determined from DSC, was observed with an increase in the DCP content. Studies on the heat shrinkability of the samples showed that samples stretched above the melting point had a higher shrinkage temperature than those stretched around the crystal transition temperature. The results showed that by increasing the peroxide content, the shrinkage temperature was decreased. These could be attributed to the formation of new spherulites as well as changes in the amount and the size of crystals. Furthermore, in samples elongated at 120°C (above the melting point), the rate of stretching had no effect on the shrinkage temperature. The results showed that the extent of strain had no effect on the temperature of shrinkage, but rather on the ultimate shrinkage value. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1389–1395, 2004