pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S03 - Extrusion and Extrusion Processes
Poster Presentation
 
 

The Effect of Die Head Temperature (DHT) on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Polyolefin Virgin/Waste Blends

Al-Salem S. M. (1)*

(1) KISR - Shwiakh - Kuwait

The effect of processing conditions on the mechanical and physical properties was studied in this work. Blends of virgin linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) with polyolefin plastic solid waste (PSW) originating from plastic film waste were extruded and blown to produce thin polymeric sheets with a thickness of 0.1 mm. Three Die Head Temperatures (DHT) of the single screw extruder section of the process assembly were used, namely 175, 185 and 195oC, surpassing melting points (Tm) of all polymers constituting the blends; which were investigated earlier using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and were found out to be LLDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Mechanical properties investigated and reported included stress (MPa), strain (%) and force (N); whilst physical properties (namely optical) included haze (%), light transmission (%) and total change in colour (ƒ´E), all with respect to standards accelerated weathering (AW) progression. The threshold degradation limit was studied with respect to the varying temperature, in addition to, the measured properties. It was concluded that such manipulation of process conditions effect product development from polymeric materials, targeting specific tailored outdoor applications. This also encompasses green engineering practices in reducing PSW accumulation by utilizing mechanical recycling techniques in product development.