pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S14 - Special: Recycling and Sustainable Polymers
Poster Presentation
 
 

Dynamic Thermo-oxidative Degradation of PP/LDPE Blends Exposed to Simulated Recycling

Saikrishnan Sainiwetha (1), Jubinville Dylan (1), Esmizadeh Elnaz (1), Tzoganakis Costas (1), Mekonnen Tizazu (1)*

(1) University of Waterloo, Chemical Engineering - ON - Canada

Polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), are some of the most converted resin types to date especially in the packaging and automotive sectors; as such, they also have the largest share in terms of municipal waste fractions. In present society, environmental regulations have enhanced the producer liability concerning plastics recycling. Process-induced degradation during recycling operations may lead to irreversible changes in the physicochemical properties and structure of the material due to the severe applied condition. Thus, it is important to understand the magnitude of property deterioration during subsequent processing and how to reuse these blends for commercial applications to combat waste accumulation. Blends of PP with 0 – 10 %wt. of LDPE was subjected to consecutive extrusion cycles to mimic mechanical recycling. The reprocessed formulations of 1, 3 and 5 cycles in twin-screw extruder were then injection molded to be tested. DSC, TGA, DMA, and MFI techniques were utilized to observe the evolution of the physical, thermal and thermo-oxidative stability of the multi-extruded blends with sequential processing. The viscosity of blends was studied using a rheometer and morphological and chemical structure was investigated via optical microscope and (FTIR).