Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol.39, No.8, 1456-1462, 1999
Study of the mechanical, thermal, and thermodegradative properties of virgin PP with recycled and non-recycled HDPE
In order to show the significance of plastic recycling, a study of the properties of blends of PP with non-recycled and recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) is made. The results of the Youngs modulus for polypropylene (PP)/non-recycled and recycled HDPE blends present a slight synergism, although no significant dependence of this property on the compound was observed. The values of elongation at break and impact strength reflect the incompatibility of the blends. In thermal studies of the blends, the values of fusion enthalpy are below the values of the components. The results of the thermodegradative studies show that activation energies (E-alpha) obtained are lower, in the case of the blends, than the E-alpha corresponding to pure polymers. In PP/recycled HDPE blends, activation energy, at 5% to 20% concentration, is maintained and falls abruptly with an increase in the concentration of the recycled material. Based upon the facts previously exposed, it is possible to recycle the recycled HDPE up to 20% concentration, in PP blends. The addition of the compatibilizer at 5% represents the optimal concentration for improving the final properties of the finished product.