Mechanical characteristics of modified unsaturated polyester resins derived from poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste

The depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), by an alcoholysis reaction is an easy operation and gives prospects for the utilization of wastes. PET waste was first depolymerized by glycolysis reaction at three different molar ratios of diethylene glycol (DEG), in the presence of manganese acetate as a transesterification catalyst. Copolyesters of PET modified with varied mole ratios of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) were reported to exhibit excellent mechanical and chemical properties due to their liquid crystalline behaviour. Here we study the effect of incorporating (PHBA) units into the building structures of different unsaturated polyesters synthesized originally from glycolysed PET waste. Modified unsaturated polyesters were synthesized by depolymerizing PET with DEG, and the obtained oligoesters were reacted with PHBA and maleic anhydride (MA). The molar ratio of the added PHBA was varied to investigate its effect on the mechanical characteristics of these modified unsaturated polyesters. The data obtained reveal that increasing the molar ratio of PHBA within the studied range of concentrations leads to a pronounced improvement in the mechanical characteristics, which is represented mainly by the values of/maximum compression strength (σ_max) and Young's modulus (E_Y). © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Curable resins based on recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) for coating applications

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste was depolymerised in the presence of diethylene- or tetraethylene glycol and manganese acetate as a catalyst. An epoxy resin was then prepared by the reaction of these oligomers with epichlorohydrin in presence of NaOH as a catalyst. The produced oligomers were condensed with maleic anhydride and ethylene glycol to produce unsaturated polyester. The chemical structures of the resulting epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins were confirmed by ¹HNMR. The vinyl ester resins were used as cross-linking agents for unsaturated polyester resin diluted with styrene, using free radical initiator and accelerator. The 2-amino ethyl piprazine was used as hardener for epoxy resins. The curing behaviour of the unsaturated polyester resin, vinyl ester resins and styrene was evaluated at different temperatures ranged from 25 to 55 °C to calculate the curing activation energy of the system. The cured epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins were evaluated in coating application of steel.     

Compressive Properties and Curing Behaviour of Unsaturated Polyester Resins in the Presence of Vinyl Ester Resins Derived from Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste was depolymerised in the presence of tetraethylene glycol and manganese acetate as a catalyst, so as to produce oligomers. An epoxy resin was then prepared by the reaction of these oligomers with epichlorohydrin in presence of NaOH as a catalyst. New diacrylate and dimethacrylate vinylester resins were then synthesized by reaction of the terminal epoxy groups with acrylic and methacrylic acid in the presence of triphenyl phosphite as a catalyst. The chemical structures of the resulting vinyl ester resins were confirmed by ¹HNMR. The vinyl ester resins were used as crosslinking agents for unsaturated polyester resin diluted with styrene, using free radical initiator and accelerator. The curing behaviour of the unsaturated polyester resin, vinyl ester resins and styrene was evaluated at temperatures from 25 to 55 ^○C. The compression properties of the cured resins, having different vinyl ester contents and different cure temperatures, were evaluated. Increasing the cure temperature and the vinyl ester content led to a pronounced improvement in the compression strength and Young’s modulus.     

Unsaturated polyester resin via chemical recycling of off‐grade poly(ethylene terephthalate)

BACKGROUND: The chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), e.g. bottles and fibre wastes, has been studied for many years. Among several methods proposed for chemical recycling of waste PET, glycolysis makes it possible to employ very low amounts of reactants and lower temperatures and pressures compared with critical methanol and thermal degradation. Furthermore, unlike hydrolysis under acidic or basic conditions, glycolysis does not cause any problems related to corrosion and pollution. RESULTS: PET from off‐grades of industrial manufacture was depolymerized using excess glycol. The effects of the reaction time, volume of glycol and catalyst concentrations on the yield of the glycolysis products were investigated. A reaction time of 3 h, weight ratio (catalyst to PET) of 0.25 wt% and PET to ethylene glycol molar ratio of 1:5 were determined as suitable conditions for depolymerization. Then, the reaction of polyesterification of maleic anhydride (MA) and glycolysed products of PET was successfully performed at 160 and 190 °C for 8 h. CONCLUSION: Differential scanning calorimetry and vapour pressure osmometry results for the product of the glycolysis reactions, under suitable condition, confirmed the structure of the desired product. This sample underwent reaction with MA to produce unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). The results of Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopy confirmed that the UPR had been synthesized successfully. This is the first direct report on the glycolysis reaction of off‐grade products of petrochemical companies in order to regenerate raw materials or other secondary value‐added products. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of unsaturated polyesters based on the aminolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) via an aminolysis process was studied. An excess of ethanol amine in the presence of sodium acetate as a catalyst was used to produce bis(2‐hydroxyl ethylene) terephthalamide (BHETA). Unsaturated polyester (UP) resins were obtained by the reaction of BHETA with different long‐chain dibasic acids such as decanedioic acid, tetradecanoic acid, and octadecanoic acid in conjunction with maleic anhydride as a source of unsaturation. The chemical structure of the UP resins was confirmed by ¹H‐NMR. The vinyl ester resins were used as crosslinking agents for UP. The curing behavior and mechanical properties of the UP resins with vinyl ester were evaluated at different temperatures ranging from 25 to 55°C. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

New epoxy resins based on recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) as organic coatings

Glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, waste using trimethylol propane (TMP), triethanolamine (TEA), diethylene glycol (DEG) and diethanolamine (DEA) was used to produce suitable hydroxy-oligomers for epoxy. The glycolyzed products were reacted with epichlorohydrine to prepare a series of di- and tetraglycidyl epoxy resins with different molecular weights. The glycolysis was carried out in presence of manganese acetate as a catalyst at normal and high pressure in presence and absence of xylene at 210 °C. The produced resins were cured with different mole ratios of 1-(2-amino ethyl) piprazine as curing agent at room temperature. The mechanical properties of the cured epoxy resins were evaluated. The chemical resistances of the cured resins were evaluated through salt spray resistance, hot water, solvents, acid and alkali resistance measurements. The data indicate that the cured epoxy resins based on glycolyzed oligomer of PET and DEA have excellent chemical resistances as organic coatings among other cured resins.     

Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate)

Commercial grade poly(ethylene terephthalate), (PET, intrinsic viscosity = 0.80 dL/g) and poly(butylene terephthalate), (PBT, intrinsic viscosity = 1.00 dL/g) were melt blended over the entire composition range using a counterrotating twin‐screw extruder. The mechanical, thermal, electrical, and rheological properties of the blends were studied. All of the blends showed higher impact properties than that of PET or PBT. The 50:50 blend composition exhibited the highest impact value. Other mechanical properties also showed similar trends for blends of this composition. The addition of PBT increased the processability of PET. Differential scanning calorimetry data showed the presence of both phases. For all blends, only a single glass‐transition temperature was observed. The melting characteristics of one phase were influenced by the presence of the other. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 75–82, 2005     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/attapulgite nanocomposites

A kind of clay with fibrous morphology, attapulgite (AT), was used to prepare poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/AT nanocomposites via in situ polymerization. Attapulgite was modified with Hexadecyltriphenylphosphonium bromide and silane coupling agent (3‐glycidoxypropltrimethoxysilane) to increase the dispersion of clay particles in polymer matrix and the interaction between clay particles and polymer matrix. FTIR and TGA test of the organic‐AT particles investigated the thermal stability and the loading quantity of organic reagents. XRD patterns and SEM micrographs showed that the organic modification was processed on the surface of rod‐like crystals and did not shift the crystal structure of silicate. For PET/AT nanocomposites, it was revealed in TEM that the fibrous clay can be well dispersed in polymer matrix with the rod‐like crystals in the range of nanometer scale. The diameter of rod‐like crystal is about 20 nm and the length is near to 500 nm. The addition of the clay particles can enhance the thermal stability and crystallization rate of PET. With the addition of AT in PET matrix, the flexural modulus of those composites was also increased markedly. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1279–1286, 2007     

Synthesis and characterisation of copolyesters from poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(hexamethylene terephthalate)

Copolyesters containing poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(hexamethylene terephthalate) (PHT) were prepared by a melt condensation reaction. The copolymers were characterised by infrared spectroscopy and intrinsic viscosity measurements. The density of the copolyesters decreased with increasing percentage of PHT segments in the backbone. Glass transition temperatures (T_g). melting points (T_m) and crystallisation temperatures (T_c) were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. An increase in the percentage of PHT resulted in decrease in T_g, T_m and T_c. The as-prepared copolyesters were crystalline in nature and no exotherm indicative of cold crystallisation was observed. The relative thermal stability of the polymers was evaluated by dynamic thermogravimetry in a nitrogen atmosphere. An increase in percentage of PHT resulted in a decrease in initial decomposition temperature. The rate of crystallisation of the copolymers was studied by small angle light scattering. An increase in percentage of PHT resulted in an increase in the rate of crystallisation.     

Syntheses and characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) modified with p-acetoxybenzoic acid

Though the structure and properties of a copolyester of 40 mole % of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and 60 mole % p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB) (PET/60PHB) and their blends have been well documented, no work has been reported in an open literature on the systematic investigation of the PET copolymers modified with broad range of p-acetoxybenzoic acid (PABA) composition as yet. In this study, several PETA-x copolyesters having various PABA compositions from 10 to 70 mole % were prepared by the melt reaction of PABA and PET without a catalyst, where x denotes the mole % of PABA. And the modified polyesters obtained were characterized by ¹H-NMR spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction pattern, polarizing microscopy, thermal analysis, and rheometry. The anisotropic phase appeared when x is above 50 mole % of PABA, and especially for the x's of 60 and 70 mole %, the nematic liquid crystalline texture appeared clearly on the whole matrix. As the mole % of PABA increased, melting temperature, heat of fusion, crystalline temperature, degree of crystallinity, and the glass transition temperature of the modified PET were decreased, but the thermal stabilities of those copolyesters were increased. The dependence of melt viscosity on the shear rate for PETA-50 ∼ 70 followed the typical rheological behavior of liquid crystalline polymers. Finally, it was concluded that the PETA-x copolyesters having compositions of higher than 50 mole % of PABA exhibit the behavior of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 1707–1719, 1999     

Morphology of rubber‐modified vinyl ester resins cured at different temperatures

The morphologies of styrene (St) crosslinked divinylester resins (DVER) modified with elastomers were analyzed. The primary focus of this study was on the effect of the molecular weight of the resins, the reactivity of the elastomeric modifiers, and the temperature of curing. All of these variables have a strong influence on both the miscibility and the viscosity of the system, affecting the phase‐separation process that takes place in the unreacted and the reacting mixture. The selected liquid rubbers were carboxyl‐terminated poly(butadiene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (CTBN), a common toughening agent for epoxy resins, and an almost unreactive rubber with the DVER; and St comonomers and vinyl‐terminated poly(butadiene‐co‐acrylonitrile (VTBN), a reactive rubber. Different morphologies potentially appear in these systems: structures formed by DVER–St nodules surrounded by elastomer and spanning the whole sample; dual cocontinuous micron‐size domains formed by elastomer‐rich or resin‐rich domains; and a continuous DVER–St‐rich phase with included complex nodular domains. These microstructures can be varied by just changing the nature and concentration of the elastomer, the molecular weight of the resin, or the curing temperature. The appearance of these morphologies is discussed as a function of the above variables. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 274–283, 2003     

Preparation and characterization of water‐extended polyester based on recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)

An unsaturated polyester resin was prepared that was based on the reaction of oligomers obtained from the depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste products, with both maleic anhydride and sebacic acid. The structure of the produced polyester was compared with that prepared from the reaction of dimethyl terephthalate with both maleic anhydride and sebacic acid with IR and NMR spectroscopy. Water‐extended polyester resins were prepared from these two polyesters through curing with styrene in the presence of various amounts of water with benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. The mechanical properties of the prepared water‐extended polyesters, as well as scanning electron microscopy, were investigated. The use of water‐extended polyesters based on recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste for the preparation of decorative art objects and statues was investigated. Therefore, three pharaonic statues representing Tutankhamen, Nefertiti, and a black head of a cat were prepared. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3693–3699, 2003     

Mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) modified with functionalized polymers

This study examined the effect of blending poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with 5% of a functionalized polymer. The blends were characterized by particle size and size distribution, unnotched tensile behavior, toughness, and notch sensitivity. The improved properties of blends that incorporated a functionalized elastomer were consistent with in situ formation of a graft copolymer by reaction with PET end groups. Triblock copolymers were examined that had styrene end blocks and an ethylene/butylene midblock (SEBS) with grafted maleic anhydride. The present study extended previous investigations that focused on level of grafting to examine the effects of component molecular weight and PET hydroxyl‐to‐carboxyl end‐group ratio. Increasing the molecular weight of the SEBS and decreasing the hydroxyl‐to‐carboxyl ratio of the PET increased the effectiveness of the SEBS. In addition, a mix of an unfunctionalized SEBS with a functionalized SEBS was more effective than a single SEBS with the same total anhydride content. The same elastomers were the most effective for modifying a lower molecular weight PET (intrinsic viscosity 0.73) and a higher molecular weight PET (intrinsic viscosity 0.95). Some functionalized polypropylenes included in the study did not enhance the properties of PET. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 203–219, 1999     

Phase structure and properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/high‐density polyethylene based on recycled materials

Blends based on recycled high density polyethylene (R‐HDPE) and recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (R‐PET) were made through reactive extrusion. The effects of maleated polyethylene (PE‐g‐MA), triblock copolymer of styrene and ethylene/butylene (SEBS), and 4,4′‐methylenedi(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) on blend properties were studied. The 2% PE‐g‐MA improved the compatibility of R‐HDPE and R‐PET in all blends toughened by SEBS. For the R‐HDPE/R‐PET (70/30 w/w) blend toughened by SEBS, the dispersed PET domain size was significantly reduced with use of 2% PE‐g‐MA, and the impact strength of the resultant blend doubled. For blends with R‐PET matrix, all strengths were improved by adding MDI through extending the PET molecular chains. The crystalline behaviors of R‐HDPE and R‐PET in one‐phase rich systems influenced each other. The addition of PE‐g‐MA and SEBS consistently reduced the crystalline level (χ_c) of either the R‐PET or the R‐HDPE phase and lowered the crystallization peak temperature (T_c) of R‐PET. Further addition of MDI did not influence R‐HDPE crystallization behavior but lowered the χ_c of R‐PET in R‐PET rich blends. The thermal stability of R‐HDPE/R‐PET 70/30 and 50/50 (w/w) blends were improved by chain‐extension when 0.5% MDI was added. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of a poly(ether–ester) copolymer from poly(2,6 dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) and poly(ethylene terephthalate)

A series of poly(ether–ester) copolymers were synthesized from poly(2,6 dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The synthesis was carried out by two‐step solution polymerization process. PET oligomers were synthesized via glycolysis and subsequently used in the copolymerization reaction. FTIR spectroscopy analysis shows the coexistence of spectral contributions of PPO and PET on the spectra of their ether–ester copolymers. The composition of the poly(ether–ester)s was calculated via ¹H NMR spectroscopy. A single glass transition temperature was detected for all synthesized poly(ether–ester)s. T_g behavior as a function of poly(ether–ester) composition is well represented by the Gordon‐Taylor equation. The molar masses of the copolymers synthesized were calculated by viscosimetry. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Effects of the recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers on the rigid polyurethane foam

Recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), subjected to the treatment with the flame retardant first, was used to reinforce the rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs). Different loadings of PET fibers (3–12 wt %) of different lengths (5, 10, 15, and 20 mm) were added into RPUF. The mechanical properties of composites were studied by compressive strength test and shear stress test. The flame-retardant properties were evaluated by cone calorimeter and limited oxygen index test. The results showed that the proper addition of PET fibers could improve the mechanical and flame-retardant properties of the material. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47758.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers crosslinked with disulfonyl azides

A novel method for the crosslinking of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers is described using 1,6‐hexanedisulfonyl azide, 1,3‐benzenedisulfonyl azide, and 2,6‐naphthalenedisulfonyl azide. The azides are diffused into poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers (Dacron) from perchloroethylene solution, and the fibers are heat treated to bring about decomposition of the sulfonyl azide and give rise to crosslinking. A study is made of the mechanical and thermal properties of the resultant fibers, which are changed considerably in comparison to the untreated fiber. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1517–1527, 2002     

Dehydrochlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) modified with titanium dioxide/poly(ethylene oxide) based paint photocatalysts

The dehydrochlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) film samples modified with titanium dioxide (TiO₂)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) based paint photocatalysts [the addition of methyl linoleate (ML) or methyl oleate (MO)] was performed. After 24 h of UV photoirradiation, the sample with TiO₂/PEO showed that there existed a structure with the longest polyene length, whereas that with TiO₂/PEO/ML contained the most polyene structures. The chloroform‐soluble fraction of the sample with TiO₂/PEO contained a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) structure instead of a polyene one and showed a novel method of PVA production via PVC photodegradation. The molecular weight curve of the fraction shifted slightly to a lower molecular weight compared to that without the photocatalyst; this showed that slight polymer chain scission occurred. The ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR spectra showed that the content of PVA units was about 20%, and the PVA sequence was blocky. The fraction of the sample with TiO₂/PEO/ML contained the highest methyl group content; this showed that the branch degree was highest as was the polyene content. These highest contents were due to the existence of the grafted ML. Pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy measurements suggested that there existed more polyene and graft units in the chloroform‐insoluble fractions of the samples with TiO₂/PEO, TiO₂/PEO/ML, and TiO₂/PEO/MO, respectively. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40760.     

Crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) modified with codiols

The nucleation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) by codiols and olefinic segments was studied. The codiols 1,5‐pentanediol, 1,8‐octanediol, 2,5‐hexanediol, and 1,3‐dihydroxymethyl benzene were copolymerized into PET in a concentration range of 0–10 mol %. The melting (T_m), crystallization (T_c), and glass‐transition (T_g) temperatures were studied. These codiols were found to be able to nucleate PET at low concentrations, probably by lowering the surface free energy of the chain fold. However, the codiols also disturbed the structural order of the polymer, resulting in a decrease in both the T_m and T_c values. The optimum codiol concentration was found to be at around 1 mol %, which is lower than previously reported. A diamide segment N,N′‐bis(p‐carbo‐methoxybenzoyl)ethanediamine (T2T) was found to be a more effective nucleator than the codiols; however, no synergy was observed between the nucleating effect of the diamide segment T2T and that of the codiol. An olefinic diol (C₃₆‐diol) with a molecular weight of 540 g/mol was also copolymerized into PET in a concentration range of 0–21 wt %. Only one T_g was observed in the resulting copolymers, suggesting that the amorphous phases of PET and the C₃₆‐diol are miscible. The main effect of incorporating the C₃₆‐diol into PET was the lowering of the T_g; thus, the C₃₆‐diol is an internal plastifier for PET. The C₃₆‐diol had little effect on the T_m value; however, the T_c value actually increased in the 11.5 wt % copolymer. As the T_g decreased and the T_c increased, the crystallization window also increased and thereby the likelihood of crystallization. Therefore, the thermally stable C₃₆‐diol appears to be an interesting compound that may be useful in improving the crystallization of PET. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2676–2682, 2001     

Thermo-rheological analysis of various chain extended recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Three chain extenders, pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), ethylene carbonate (EC), and a polymeric-epoxide, were investigated for improving recycled p(ethylene terephthalate) (r-PET) properties with melt extrusion. The amount of additives and processing temperatures were also varied to check for melt degradation. Small amplitude oscillatory shear experiments were performed to probe rheological changes with different chain extenders. Capillary rheometry with haul-off was also performed to measure extensional viscosity and melt strength. Higher loadings of the chain extenders were found to improve properties of r-PET. These chain extenders definitely increased melt viscosities when incorporated at the higher level of the ranges examined, matching that of virgin PET. EC addition resulted in high shear thinning of the polymer. Epoxy and PMDA added to r-PET produced products with the same extensional viscosity as v-PET. Haul-off experiments demonstrate superior performance by epoxy-modified r-PET compared to v-PET.