HOW SHOULD PLASTIC RECYCLATES LOOK LIKE TO BE PERCEIVED AS SUSTAINABLE: A FIRST EXPLORATION

AbstractNotwithstanding the positive environmental impact of recycled plastics, they are only scarcely used in new designs due to unfamiliarity and lack of material identities. This research aims to touch upon the sensorial attributes that characterise the sustainable perception of recycled plastics. Understanding this would allow to respond to the new trend of sustainable living by offering recycled materials that are successfully perceived as sustainable, and that could support the identity building of each specific recycled plastic material. Three research activities were executed to explore (i) the designerly understanding of sustainable perceived plastics; (ii) the consumer understanding of sensorial material attributes that influence the sustainable perception; (iii) the understanding of these attributes towards recycled plastic materials. Five variables were found that interfere with the perception of the participants: A weaker colour intensity, the use of colourless colours, a rougher texture, a speckled structure and the usage of a matte gloss can give a sustainable look towards a sustainable plastic material. Further research should detail these variables, its limitations and try to make defined guidelines to avoid greenwashing.

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Mechanical and processing properties of recycled PET and LDPE-HDPE composite materials for building components

Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials ◽

10.1177/0892705720939141 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 089270572093914

Author(s):

Julián Gonzalez Laria ◽

Rosana Gaggino ◽

Jerónimo Kreiker ◽

Lucas E Peisino ◽

María Positieri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plastic Material ◽

Research Work ◽

Mechanical Resistance ◽

Recycled Pet ◽

Plastic Materials ◽

New Process ◽

Strength Tests ◽

Building Components ◽

Recycled Plastics ◽

Processing Properties

Although several reports can be found in the literature about the recycling of plastic materials, only a few focus on recovering and molding them in a new process. Plastic material blends can be fabricated using several techniques, which allows the molding of a compound adaptable to each needed performance. This fact favors the recycling by allowing the use of mixed wastes without major processes, avoiding expensive treatments. This research work analyzes the mechanical properties of a material conformed by 100% recycled plastics: polyethylene terephthalate and low-/high-density polyethylene without previous separation or washing and drying pretreatments. Its macro and microscopic structure was studied and described, and formulations of different compound rates were analyzed. Mechanical resistance was around 60% of a material composed of virgin materials in compressive, flexural, and tensile strength tests. Its potential application to building components manufacture is analyzed.

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Thermal Characterization of Recycled Materials for Building Insulation

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14123564 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 3564

Author(s):

Arnas Majumder ◽

Laura Canale ◽

Costantino Carlo Mastino ◽

Antonio Pacitto ◽

Andrea Frattolillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Building Materials ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Natural Fibers ◽

Thermal Characterization ◽

Recycled Materials ◽

Building Insulation ◽

Operational Phase

The building sector is known to have a significant environmental impact, considering that it is the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions of around 36% and is also responsible for about 40% of global energy consumption. Of this, about 50% takes place during the building operational phase, while around 10–20% is consumed in materials manufacturing, transport and building construction, maintenance, and demolition. Increasing the necessity of reducing the environmental impact of buildings has led to enhancing not only the thermal performances of building materials, but also the environmental sustainability of their production chains and waste prevention. As a consequence, novel thermo-insulating building materials or products have been developed by using both locally produced natural and waste/recycled materials that are able to provide good thermal performances while also having a lower environmental impact. In this context, the aim of this work is to provide a detailed analysis for the thermal characterization of recycled materials for building insulation. To this end, the thermal behavior of different materials representing industrial residual or wastes collected or recycled using Sardinian zero-km locally available raw materials was investigated, namely: (1) plasters with recycled materials; (2) plasters with natural fibers; and (3) building insulation materials with natural fibers. Results indicate that the investigated materials were able to improve not only the energy performances but also the environmental comfort in both new and in existing buildings. In particular, plasters and mortars with recycled materials and with natural fibers showed, respectively, values of thermal conductivity (at 20 °C) lower than 0.475 and 0.272 W/(m⋅K), while that of building materials with natural fibers was always lower than 0.162 W/(m⋅K) with lower values for compounds with recycled materials (0.107 W/(m⋅K)). Further developments are underway to analyze the mechanical properties of these materials.

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The Identity of Recycled Plastics: A Vocabulary of Perception

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12051953 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1953 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lore Veelaert ◽

Els Du Bois ◽

Ingrid Moons ◽

Patrick De Pelsmacker ◽

Sara Hubo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Design Process ◽

Circular Economy ◽

Evaluation Method ◽

Idea Generation ◽

High Quality ◽

Recycled Materials ◽

Front End ◽

Similarities And Differences ◽

Recycled Plastics ◽

Level Of Agreement

As designing with recycled materials is becoming indispensable in the context of a circular economy, we argue that understanding how recycled plastics are perceived by stakeholders involved in the front end of the design process, is essential to achieve successful application in practice, beyond the current concept of surrogates according to industry. Based on existing frameworks, 34 experiential scales with semantic opposites were used to evaluate samples of three exemplary recycled plastics by two main industrial stakeholders: 30 material engineers and 30 designers. We describe four analyses: (i) defining experiential material characteristics, (ii) significant differences between the materials, (iii) level of agreement of respondents, and (iv) similarities and differences between designers and engineers. We conclude that the three materials have different perceptual profiles or identities that can initiate future idea generation for high-quality applications. The study illustrates the potential of this evaluation method. We propose that designers can facilitate the valorization and adoption of these undervalued recycled materials, first by industry and ultimately by consumers as well.

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Study of the Biodegrability of Degradable/Biodegradable Plastic Material in a Controlled Composting Environment

Ecological Chemistry and Engineering S ◽

10.2478/v10216-011-0025-8 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 347-358 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Magdalena Vaverková ◽

František Toman ◽

Dana Adamcová ◽

Jana Kotovicová

Keyword(s):

Plastic Material ◽

Laboratory Scale ◽

Biodegradable Plastic ◽

Preliminary Evaluation ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Chain Stores ◽

Plastic Bags ◽

Plastic Materials ◽

Scale Test

Study of the Biodegrability of Degradable/Biodegradable Plastic Material in a Controlled Composting EnvironmentThe objective of this study was to determine the degrability/biodegradability of disposable plastic bags available on the market that are labeled as degradable/biodegradable and those certified as compost. The investigated materials were obtained from chain stores in the Czech Republic and Poland. Seven kinds of bags (commercially available) were used in this study. One of them was a disposable bag made of HDPE and mixed with totally degradable plastic additive (TDPA additive). Another was a disposable made of polyethylene with the addition of pro-oxidant additive (d2w additive). One was labeled as 100% degradable within various periods of time, from three months up to three years, and four were certified as compostable. The test was carried out in a controlled composting environment. The biodisintegration degree of the obtained pieces was evaluated following a modified version of ČSN EN 14806 Norm "Packaging - Preliminary evaluation of the disintegration of the packaging materials under simulated composting conditions in a laboratory scale test" and a modified version of ČSN EN ISO 20200 "Plastics - Determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials under simulated composting conditions in laboratory-scale test" (ISO 20200:2004). The emphasis was put on determination whether the bags are degradable/biodegradable or not.

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On Determining Elastic Modulus from Instrumented Indentation

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.668.616 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 668 ◽

pp. 616-620

Author(s):

Shuai Huang ◽

Huang Yuan

Keyword(s):

Finite Element ◽

Elastic Modulus ◽

Plastic Material ◽

Instrumented Indentation ◽

Computational Simulations ◽

Elastic Plastic ◽

Modified Method ◽

Plastic Materials ◽

Elastic Plastic Material ◽

Elastic Plastic Materials

Computational simulations of indentations in elastic-plastic materials showed overestimate in determining elastic modulus using the Oliver & Pharr’s method. Deviations significantly increase with decreasing material hardening. Based on extensive finite element computations the correlation between elastic-plastic material property and indentation has been carried out. A modified method was introduced for estimating elastic modulus from dimensional analysis associated with indentation data. Experimental verifications confirm that the new method produces more accurate prediction of elastic modulus than the Oliver & Pharr’s method.

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Potensi Pemanfaatan Ulang Sampah Plastik Menjadi Eco-Paving Block

Jurnal Jaring SainTek ◽

10.31599/jaring-saintek.v3i1.478 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 25-31

Author(s):

Haudi Hasaya ◽

Reni Masrida

Keyword(s):

Promising Result ◽

Plastic Material ◽

Adhesive Properties ◽

Optimum Dosage ◽

Plastic Materials ◽

Abs Plastics

Eco-paving block is a product used for construction consisting of sand and plastic mixes. In order to produce eco-paving blocks, the mixture of sand and concrete was substituted in part with sand and plastics. In order to properly mix plastics to create eco-paving blocks, a plastic smelter was used to generate heat and melt the plastic materials. The plastic material types used in this case was PETE or PETE, which has the characteristics of being flexible and high adhesive properties; along with ABS which can stand pressures. Based on the tests conducted with the plastic smelter using PET, ABS, and the combination of PET and ABS, the most promising result was shown with the combination of PET and ABS. This combination required 8 minutes 21 seconds for the plastics to become fully melted, and a temperature of 278oC. The combination of PET and ABS resulted in a mixture of plastics with strong adhesive properties and durability. This product could potentially be developed into eco-paving blocks. Additional studies regarding the optimum dosage combinations of PET and ABS plastics in eco-paving blocks can potentially be established in order to further optimize the usage of these plastics in eco-paving blocks.

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Places and Causes of Mismanaged Plastic Materials in the Life Cycle of Flexible Plastic Packaging Based on Mechanical Recycling Context

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.888.129 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 888 ◽

pp. 129-138

Author(s):

Munzir Hadengganan ◽

Djoko Sihono Gabriel

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Plastic Material ◽

Life Cycles ◽

Plastic Waste ◽

Production Cycle ◽

Mechanical Recycling ◽

Rigid Plastic ◽

Plastic Packaging ◽

Quality Degradation ◽

Plastic Materials

Plastic waste has become a big issue in the world for its large amount of plastic waste in the sea. Most of the plastic waste is plastic packaging which consists of flexible and rigid plastic packaging. This research discusses flexible plastic packaging. Until now, most researches on the loss of plastic materials discuss how to manage plastic waste disposal once it has been used by community: only a few discuss production cycle: while none of them discusses flexible plastic packaging area. This research aims to examine the number of mismanaged materials throughout flexible plastic packaging life cycle using a combination of Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). Based on the literature review, interviews and observations conducted by the author to all stakeholders in the life cycle of flexible plastic packaging, mismanagement of plastic material occurred in each cycle, mostly caused by quality degradation of flexible plastic that could cause plastic waste was not acceptable in the mechanical recycle. The results of this study show that: (1) mismanaged material occurred in all cycles throughout the life cycles of flexible plastic packaging, (2) quality degradation is the main caused of mismanaged material in several cycles, and (3) the mismanaged materials in the life cycle of flexible plastic packaging were 98.29%.

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Pressure Distribution in the Calendering of Plastic Materials

Journal of Applied Mechanics ◽

10.1115/1.4010227 ◽

1951 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 101-106

Author(s):

J. T. Bergen ◽

G. W. Scott

Keyword(s):

Pressure Distribution ◽

Viscous Liquid ◽

High Speed ◽

Plastic Material ◽

The Body ◽

Experimental Results ◽

Distribution Characteristics ◽

Flow Properties ◽

Pressure Sensitive ◽

Plastic Materials

Abstract In the calendering, or rolling, of a plastic material in to sheet form by passing it between parallel rolls, hydrostatic pressure is exerted against the surface of the roll throughout the region of contact with the plastic mass. This pressure has been measured by means of a pressure-sensitive cylinder, inserted in the body of a 10-in-diam roll, together with high-speed oscillographic technique. The materials which were calendered consisted of a resin which exhibited flow properties characteristic of a viscous liquid, and several filled plastic compositions of commercial interest. Pressure maxima ranging up to 8000 psi were observed. Comparison of experimental results with theoretical expressions for pressure distribution, as given by several authors, indicates that the equation derived by Gaskell quite satisfactorily predicts the results for the case of the viscous liquid. The commercial plastics were found to exhibit pressure-distribution characteristics which were perceptibly different from those of the viscous liquid. Certain limitations of Gaskell’s treatment of nonviscous materials prevent its application to these experimental results.

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Simulation of multi-contact wave strain hardening

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201929705007 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 297 ◽

pp. 05007

Author(s):

Andrey Kirichek ◽

Sergey Barinov ◽

Aleksandr Yashin

Keyword(s):

Finite Element ◽

Finite Element Modeling ◽

Strain Hardening ◽

Deformation Zone ◽

Plastic Material ◽

Technological Parameters ◽

Contact Loading ◽

Plastic Materials ◽

Contact Wave ◽

Loading Scheme

The article raises the problem of reducing pressure in the deformation zone during hardening of plastic materials by shock pulses. It is proposed to use the method of wave strain hardening and its multi-contact loading scheme as its solution. To accelerate the study of the influence of WSH technological parameters on the process of plastic material hardening, its finite element modeling is used. From the obtained patterns, the most significant technological parameters of the multi-contact WSH process were established and the ranges of their values providing effective hardening of plastic materials are given.

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Self-Affine Measurements on the Fracture Surface of Plastic Materials by AFM

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-578-357 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 578 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

E. Reyes ◽

C. Guerrero ◽

V. González ◽

M. Hinojosa

Keyword(s):

Plastic Material ◽

Polymeric Materials ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

Average Roughness ◽

Sem Images ◽

Fracture Surfaces ◽

Material Surfaces ◽

Plastic Materials ◽

Roughness Exponent ◽

Good Agreement

AbstractThe self-aff'me behavior of fracture surfaces of polymeric materials was qualitatively and quantitatively studied. SEM images of fracture surfaces of both polypropylene and polystyrene show Chevron marks at several magnifications. In addition, for polystyrene the mirror and Hackle zones were also observed. For quantitative analysis, the average roughness exponent, ζ, of height profiles generated by AFM images, was estimated by applying the variable bandwidth method. Values of ζ=0.788 and ζ=0.810 were obtained for polypropylene and polystyrene, respectively. These results are in very good agreement with the claimed universal exponent of 0.8 reported in the literature for other non-polymeric materials. By choosing the AFM appropriate operating conditions, measurements of roughness on plastic material surfaces could be performed.

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