scholarly journals Effect of the Prodegradant-Additive Plastics Incorporated on the Polyethylene Recycling

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Aldas ◽  
Andrea Paladines ◽  
Vladimir Valle ◽  
Miguel Pazmiño ◽  
Francisco Quiroz

The effect of degraded plastic with prodegradants on the polyethylene properties was studied. First, the mixture of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with 5 wt.% prodegradant (oxo-degradable) additive was prepared by melt processing using a mixer chamber. Then, the degradation of the mixtures was evaluated by exposing the oxo-degradable LDPE in a Xenon arc chamber for 300 hours. The degraded material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) assessing the carbonyl index and the hydroperoxide band. Then, different percentages of degraded material (1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 wt.%) were incorporated into the neat LDPE. Mechanical and rheological tests were carried out to evaluate the recycling process of these blends. Also, the feasibility of the blends reprocessing was determined by analysing the melt flow index for each heating process and shear stress applied. It was evidenced that the increment of the content of the degraded material in the neat LDPE decreased the mechanical strength and the processability of blends due to the imminent thermal degradation. All the test results showed that the incorporation of degraded material causes a considerable reduction in the matrix properties during the reprocessing. Nevertheless, at low concentrations, the properties of the oxo-degradable LDPE–LDPE blends were found to be similar to the neat LDPE.

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 390
Author(s):  
Fernando Luiz Lavoie ◽  
Marcelo Kobelnik ◽  
Clever Aparecido Valentin ◽  
Érica Fernanda da Silva Tirelli ◽  
Maria de Lurdes Lopes ◽  
...  

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes are polymeric geosynthetic materials usually applied as a liner in environmental facilities due to their good mechanical properties, good welding conditions, and excellent chemical resistance. A geomembrane’s field performance is affected by different conditions and exposures, including ultraviolet radiation, thermal and oxidative exposure, and chemical contact. This article presents an experimental study with a 1.0 mm-thick HDPE virgin geomembrane exposed by the Xenon arc weatherometer for 2160 h and the ultraviolet fluorescent weatherometer for 8760 h to understand the geomembrane’s behavior under ultraviolet exposure. The evaluation was performed using the melt flow index (MFI) test, oxidative-induction time (OIT) tests, tensile test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The sample exposed in the Xenon arc equipment showed a tendency to increase the MFI values during the exposure time. This upward trend may indicate morphological changes in the polymer. The tensile behavior analysis showed a tendency of the sample to lose ductility, without showing brittle behavior. The samples’ OIT test results under both device exposures showed faster antioxidant depletion for the standard OIT test than the high-pressure OIT test. The DSC and FTIR analyses did not demonstrate the polymer’s changes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2110570
Author(s):  
Shengwei Wang ◽  
Tao Guo ◽  
Huan Tian ◽  
Zhigang Li ◽  
Kang Fei

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes (GMs) play a crucial role in preventing the leakage and migration of pollutants. GM service life and ageing properties are the main concerns for the choice of materials. However, it is not clear how the mechanical properties and anti-fouling performance of geomembranes change with ageing time. To solve this problem, a HDPE GM was selected for testing under exposed air condition. The tests included oxidation induction time (OIT), melt flow index (MFI), tensile properties and diffusivity under four temperature conditions for 1½ years. The test results showed that the GM has higher OIT degradation rates. Stage I – depletion of antioxidants occurred at only 10 years for the GM, which was approximately 1/4 that of the GM-GSE. The GM engineering properties index showed the same changes as those of the GM-GSE. However, MI rapidly decreased with the incubation time. The molecular weight degradation of the GM was approximately 57% and far greater than that of GM-GSE after 15 months, but the tensile properties of the two GMs showed little change. The diffusion coefficient Di of GM increases gradually with the increase of temperature in methane and trichloromethane. Under the same conditions, the diffusion coefficient Di of the GM in methane is significantly higher than that in trichloromethane, indicating that the GM has better barrier to trichloromethane.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 77-87
Author(s):  
Doina Dimonie ◽  
Nicoleta Dragomir

The article presents results regarding the use of the melt flow index method (MFIM) in estimating the rheological properties of polylactic acid (PLA) and PLA-based materials, as tool in the selection of the operating conditions at their shaping into filaments and for 3D printing with thus obtained filaments. Based on the MFIM, the molecular weight of various PLA grade commonly used in melt processing techniques, including printing, were qualitatively compared. It was found that PLA for printing has the lowest molecular weight as compared with the PLA melt processed through injection, extrusion, thermoforming. It has been also shown that the MFIM can be used to verify the efficiency of drying, pre-treatment always needed to be done, before filaments obtaining and/or printing, especially in case of renewable polyesters. By simulating the printing at the indexer, via depositing successive layers, one over the other, it was possible to estimate the optimal flow conditions that ensure a good adhesion between the deposited layers. The estimation of the condition which ensure the needed adhesion between the deposited layers with the help of the MFIM was verified with good results on a grade of high loaded PLA achieved according to an original formulation.


2019 ◽  
pp. 089270571986462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupinder Singh ◽  
Ranvijay Kumar ◽  
Shubham Tiwari ◽  
Shubham Vishwakarma ◽  
Shivam Kakkar ◽  
...  

In this study, an innovative route for secondary recycling (with zirconium oxide (ZrO2) reinforcement) has been proposed based on melt processing of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in low-temperature bearing applications. Initially, secondary recycled HDPE, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and nylon 6 thermoplastic composites were investigated for melt flow index (MFI) according to ASTM D1238 standard. Based on the acceptable MFI, secondary recycled HDPE matrix was selected for second-stage processing on twin screw extrusion (TSE). The final process involves reinforcement of ZrO2 into HDPE matrix by TSE in 60:40 ratio (by weight %) for preparation of feedstock filament (for possible 3-D printing of bearings). The results of the study suggest that for processing of HDPE, 40% ZrO2 composite matrix, 50 r min−1 screw speed, 190°C barrel temperature, and 15 kg applied load are the best setting of TSE (for maximizing the tensile strength of feedstock filament). The results are also supported by wear properties, thermal stability, and morphological analysis (based on scanning electron microscopy and electron-dispersive X-ray analysis).


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariadne Gonçalves De Leão ◽  
Patricia Soares da Costa Pereira ◽  
Daniele Cruz Bastos

In this study, banana fibre surfaces were chemically modified and composites using polypropylene as a matrix were prepared. The FTIR analysis confirmed that the esterification increased the crystallinity and thermal stability of the acetylated fibres. Composites showed a decrease in the melt flow index and a slight reduction in density and hardness in relation to the matrix. Good matrix/fibre adhesion was observed by SEM micrographs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 795 ◽  
pp. 286-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abd Aziz Noor Zuhaira ◽  
Mohamed Rahmah

In this research, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was compounded with rice husk/high density polyethylene (HDPE) and kenaf/HDPE composite at different filler loadings to produce hybrid composites. Melt flow index (MFI) and mechanical properties of hybrid composite was investigated. From the test results, the addition of CaCO3 filler had decreased melt flow index (MFI) on both composites. In terms of mechanical properties, tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength decreased, whereas Youngs Modulus increased with the increase of CaCO3 in both kenaf/HDPE and rice husk/HDPE composites. Impact strength of unfilled rice husk/HDPE composite was lower than unfilled kenaf/HDPE composite, however impact strength of CaCO3/rice husk/HDPE hybrid composite were found to have slightly higher than CaCO3/kenaf/HDPE hybrid composite with addition of 10% and 20% of CaCO3.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doina Dimonie ◽  
Marius Petrache ◽  
Celina Damian ◽  
Liliana Anton ◽  
Miruna Musat ◽  
...  

The degradability and processability of new renewable materials based on starch and PVOH were studied using the melt flow index (MFI) method by measuring the melt rheological properties which depend not only on the extrusion conditions and material formulation but also on the macromolecule characteristics which can be modified by chemical degradation. These results were correlated with other material properties like color and cross-linking degree. The obtained results show that flowing in the melted state of the studied materials is accompanied by a second process of chains chemical degradation. It was observed that, at the same level of additivation, under identical extrusion conditions, the melted blends with corn starch as main component are highly mechanically sensitive and degrade mostly by chains scission and those with PVOH as major component are highly temperature sensitive and degrade mainly by cross-linking. The obtained results show also that each PVOH-starch blend requires particular formulation and individual windows of melt processing conditions. These results are a good proof that the MFI method is a good path to study the degradability and moldability of process sensitive polymeric materials like those based on starch and PVOH.


Recycling ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Ali Fazli ◽  
Denis Rodrigue

This work investigates the effect of ground rubber tire (GRT) particle size and their concentration on the morphological, mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blends based on recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE). In our methodology, samples are prepared via melt blending (twin-screw extrusion followed by compression molding) to prepare different series of blends using GTR with three different particle sizes (0–250 μm, 250–500 μm, and 500–850 μm) for different GTR concentrations (0, 20, 35, 50, and 65 wt.%). The thermal properties are characterized by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and the morphology of the blends is studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical and physical properties of the blends are investigated by quasi-static tensile and flexural tests, combined with impact strength and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The SEM observations indicate some incompatibility and inhomogeneity in the blends, due to low interfacial adhesion between rHDPE and GTR (especially for GTR > 50 wt.%). Increasing the GTR content up to 65 wt.% leads to poor interphase (high interfacial tension) and agglomeration, resulting in the formation of voids around GTR particles and increasing defects/cracks in the matrix. However, introducing fine GTR particles (0–250 μm) with higher specific surface area leads to a more homogenous structure and uniform particle dispersion, due to improved physical/interfacial interactions. The results also show that for a fixed composition, smaller GTR particles (0–250 μm) gives lower melt flow index (MFI), but higher tensile strength/modulus/elongation at break and toughness compared to larger GTR particles (250–500 μm and 500–850 μm).


2019 ◽  
pp. 089270571988601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupinder Singh ◽  
Ranvijay Kumar ◽  
Pawanpreet ◽  
Mohit Singh ◽  
Jatenderpal Singh

The almond skin powder is one of the biodegradable and biocompatible food wastes that can be used as reinforcement in polylactic acid (PLA) for preparation of biomedical scaffolds/implants (for high mechanical performance) by fused filament fabrication. The present study deals with the melt processing of almond skin powder as reinforcement from 0 wt% to 5 wt% in the PLA matrix by twin-screw extrusion process. The results of the study suggested that reinforcing the almond skin powder as 2.5 wt% in the PLA matrix mechanically strengthens the feedstock filaments but the increase in the proportion up to 5 wt% reduces the mechanical strength to a significant level. A similar trend has been observed in differential scanning calorimeter observations for thermal stability analysis. As regard to the rheological property is concerned, the melt flow index shows a significant reduction with reinforcement of almond skin powder in PLA. The results are also supported by photomicrographic analysis (for surface properties) and Taguchi-based optimization of twin-screw extrusion process parameters (for multifactor optimization).


e-Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuffaha Fathe Salem ◽  
Seha Tirkes ◽  
Alinda Oyku Akar ◽  
Umit Tayfun

AbstractChopped jute fiber (JF) surfaces were modified using alkaline, silane and eco-grade epoxy resin. Surface characteristics of jute fibers were confirmed by FTIR and EDX analyses. JF filled polyurethane elastomer (TPU) composites were prepared via extrusion process. The effect of surface modifications of JF on mechanical, thermo-mechanical, melt-flow, water uptake and morphological properties of TPU-based eco-composites were investigated by tensile and hardness tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), melt flow index (MFI) test, water absorption measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, respectively. Mechanical test results showed that silane and epoxy treated JF additions led to increase in tensile strength, modulus and hardness of TPU. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of TPU rose up to higher values after JF inclusions regardless of treatment type. Si-JF filled TPU exhibited the lowest water absorption among composites. Surface treated JFs displayed homogeneous dispersion into TPU and their surface were covered by TPU according to SEM micro-photographs.


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