| Abstract: | The product‐based recycling of the electrical and electronic devices and their by‐products are limited due to their complex characteristics and dissimilar material characteristics. However, such recycling procedures give clear ideas about the composition and possible recycling options of the materials present in them. Consequently, the present study deals with isolation and recycling of the major polymeric fraction present in the waste computer power supply cables (CPS) and electrical power supply (EPS) wires isolated from the household items. The composition analysis of CPS and EPS indicates that the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is the major polymeric fraction along with minor content of polyethylene (PE) and polycarbonate (PC). Further, this research compares the mechanical recyclability of the PVC recovered from the CPS and EPS. Among the PVC's analyzed, PVC isolated from the EPS has been indicated superior mechanical properties. Similarly, thermal degradation analysis (TGA) indicated higher thermal stability for the PVC isolated from EPS. Besides, the flammability of the PVC specimens was studied and concluded with the possible mechanism occurring during combustion. Moreover, this study points out that PVC recovered from EPS and CPS can be mechanically recycled for the elimination of the waste. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 26:213–223, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers |
