scholarly journals Nanosilicates in Compatibilized Mixed Recycled Polyolefins: Rheological Behavior and Film Production in a Circular Approach

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2128
Author(s):  
Emilia Garofalo ◽  
Luciano Di Maio ◽  
Paola Scarfato ◽  
Annalisa Apicella ◽  
Antonio Protopapa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Behavior ◽  
Mechanical Recycling ◽  
Recycled Materials ◽  
Blown Films ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
High Resource ◽  
Flexible Packaging ◽  
Closing The Loop ◽  
Upgrading Strategies ◽  
Pp Blends

Currently, plastic packaging represents a global challenge and has become a key point of attention for governments, media and consumers due to the visibility of the waste it generates. Despite their high resource efficiency, the perceived non-recyclability of polymeric films risks precluding them from being a relevant packaging solution in a circular economy approach. In this regard, the aim of this study was to implement a strategy to try closing the loop, via the mechanical recycling of post-consumer flexible packaging of small size (denoted as Fil-s) to obtain new films. In particular, two lots of Fil-s were used, which are PE/PP blends differing for the PP content and the presence of polar contaminants. The suitability for film blowing extrusion of these recycled materials, as such and after the addition of a compatibilizer and/or a lamellar nanosilicate, was evaluated. It was first evidenced that the difficulty of producing blown films with the pristine recycled materials, due to the frequent bubble breakages, occurring even at low draw ratios. Moreover, the shear and extensional rheological behavior of all Fil-s based systems was usefully correlated with their processability features, evidencing the key roles of the nanofiller to stabilize the bubble and of the compatibilizer to ensure a uniform film deformation, avoiding its premature breakage. Even if the adopted upgrading strategies allowed the production of blown films with both types of Fil-s, the different components of the recycled matrices were proven to significantly affect their processability and final film performances.

scholarly journals Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping Applications

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Emilia Garofalo ◽  
Luciano Di Maio ◽  
Paola Scarfato ◽  
Arianna Pietrosanto ◽  
Antonio Protopapa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yield Strength ◽  
Flexural Modulus ◽  
Melt Flow Index ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Flow Index ◽  
Flow Properties ◽  
Mechanical Recycling ◽  
Flexible Packaging ◽  
Upgrading Strategies ◽  
Mechanical Performances

This study focuses on the upgrading strategies to make Fil-s (acronym for film-small), a polyolefin-based material coming from the mechanical recycling of post-consumer flexible packaging, fit for re-use in the piping sector. The effects of washing treatments (at cold and hot conditions) and the addition of an experimental compatibilizer on the chemical-physical properties of Fil-s were first assessed. The measurements of some key properties (density, melt flow index, flexural modulus, yield strength), for both Fil-s as such and the different developed Fil-s based systems, was also conducted in order to evaluate the suitability of this complex and challenging waste stream to replace virgin PE-based pipe and fitting products, in compliance to ASTM D3350 standard. The outcomes of the present work contributed to define a code, for each Fil-s system investigated, useful for identifying the level of their performance in piping applications. All the recyclates were extruded as pipes by using a pilot scale plant, but the process resulted more stable and continuous with the compatibilized Fil-s, as it was deducible from its flow properties. Moreover, the best mechanical performances were exhibited by the hot-washed Fil-s pipes, with an increase in pipe stiffness equal to 65% respect to the unwashed sample.

scholarly journals Use of fine aggregate matrix to analyze the rheological behavior of cold recycled materials

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Graziani ◽  
Simone Raschia ◽  
Chiara Mignini ◽  
Alan Carter ◽  
Daniel Perraton
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Behavior ◽  
Fine Aggregate ◽  
Recycled Materials ◽  
Fine Aggregate Matrix

Ageing effect on morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of impact modified LDPE/PP blends from virgin and recycled materials

2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 427-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irena Borovanska ◽  
Rumen Krastev ◽  
Rosario Benavente ◽  
Manuel Monleón Pradas ◽  
Ana Vallés Lluch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Ageing Effect ◽  
Thermal And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Recycled Materials ◽  
Pp Blends

scholarly journals Development of Eco-Sustainable PBAT-Based Blown Films and Performance Analysis for Food Packaging Applications

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 5395
Author(s):  
Arianna Pietrosanto ◽  
Paola Scarfato ◽  
Luciano Di Maio ◽  
Loredana Incarnato
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Chain Extender ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Blown Films ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Flexible Packaging ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Good Transparency

In this work, eco-sustainable blown films with improved performance, suitable for flexible packaging applications requiring high ductility, were developed and characterized. Films were made by blending two bioplastics with complementary properties—the ductile and flexible poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and the rigid and brittle poly(lactic acid) (PLA)—at a 60/40 mass ratio. With the aim of improving the blends’ performance, the effects of two types of PLA, differing for viscosity and stereoregularity, and the addition of a commercial polymer chain extender (Joncryl®), were analyzed. The use of the PLA with a viscosity ratio closer to PBAT and lower stereoregularity led to a finer morphology and better interfacial adhesion between the phases, and the addition of the chain extender further reduced the size of the dispersed phase domains, with beneficial effects on the mechanical response of the produced films. The best system composition, made by the blend of PBAT, amorphous PLA, and the compatibilizer, proved to have improved mechanical properties, with a good balance between stiffness and ductility and also good transparency and sealability, which are desirable features for flexible packaging applications.

Morphology and rheological behavior of poly(butylene terephthalate)/polypropylene blends filled by two types of organoclays

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 646-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armin Hajibaba ◽  
Mahmood Masoomi ◽  
Hossein Nazockdast
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Behavior ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Dispersed Phase ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Butylene Terephthalate ◽  
Electron Microscopies ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Xrd Patterns ◽  
Polypropylene Blends ◽  
Pp Blends

The present research investigates the morphology and rheological behavior of poly(butylene terephthalate)/polypropylene (PBT/PP) blends containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic organoclays. The distribution of nanoclays and morphology of nanocomposites were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission and scanning electron microscopies. The XRD patterns show that the level of intercalation structure in nanocomposites reinforced by hydrophilic nanoclay is significantly higher than nanocomposites filled by hydrophobic one. According to morphological analysis, both types of nanocomposites indicate the reduction of droplet size, whereas hydrophilic nanoparticles illustrate more compatibilization efficiency than hydrophobic. According to transmission electron microscopy, hydrophilic nanoclays are mainly localized in the PBT matrix and at the interface, whereas hydrophobic nanoparticles are confined in the PP-dispersed phase and at the interface. From the rheological point of view, the results show that nanocomposites with hydrophilic nanoclay show stronger pseudoplasticity, higher viscosity, and more elasticity than nanocomposites with the hydrophobic one. The localization of hydrophilic organoclay in the PBT matrix aids to finer morphology of the PBT/PP blend, whereas hydrophobic one resists the breakup of droplets by confinement in dispersed phase.

scholarly journals SECONDARY USE OF PACKAGING MATERIALS IN CONTACT WITH FOOD

2021 ◽  
pp. 104-106
Author(s):  
Tatyana Chalykh
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Transition Metal Ions ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Packaging Materials ◽  
Mechanical Recycling ◽  
Recycled Materials ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Test Objects

The problems of safe use of packaging for contact with food are discussed. In particular, the possibility of migration of low molecular weight chemicals from packaging materials to a consumer product, which above a certain established threshold value, represents a significant risk, has been investigated. Particular attention is paid to packaging that contains recycled materials. The problems that need to be solved for the safe use of recycled materials in packaging are discussed. An example of the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which has passed the stages of controlled aging in mechanical recycling, is considered. The change in the microstructure of the polymer from cycle to cycle, its chemical composition and physical parameters were assessed by methods: physico-mechanical, optical and electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, viscosity (melt flow rate), biotesting. A noticeable effect of the aging process on both the original primary polymer and the recycled one is shown. Moreover, the biotesting method revealed sufficient toxicity of both secondary PET, which has a certificate, and PET flakes. As the oxo-degradable packaging, two samples of industrial polymer packaging were chosen, which contained different oxo-degradable additives: d2w and "REVERTE". The ciliates Tetrahymena pyriformis were used as test objects. Research has shown that a declared supplement can only be a declaration. The analysis of the microstructure and chemical composition of the films by X-ray diffraction microanalysis revealed the absence of transition metal ions. The test objects of the ciliates behaved practically the same in control solutions and in the presence of the studied films with the d2w oxo additive, which reliably indicates the absence of these additives in the films. The prospects of using the methods of biotesting of packaging materials have been proved as they allow, without the use of model environments and sanitary-chemical studies, to give a relatively quick conclusion about the safety of the material and its suitability for contact with food.

scholarly journals Correction to: Use of fine aggregate matrix to analyze the rheological behavior of cold recycled materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Graziani ◽  
Simone Raschia ◽  
Chiara Mignini ◽  
Alan Carter ◽  
Daniel Perraton
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Behavior ◽  
Fine Aggregate ◽  
Recycled Materials ◽  
Fine Aggregate Matrix

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-021-01656-3

scholarly journals Characterization and Analysis of Commercial Polyethylene Bags as a Prior Step to their Mechanical Recycling: A case Study in Granada, Spain

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Differential Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Ash Content ◽  
Mechanical Recycling ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Flexible Packaging ◽  
Future Improvement ◽  
Polyethylene Bags

Increasing world plastic production generates million tonnes of waste. Flexible packaging bags specially suppose a challenge in mechanical recycling because of their singular properties. This research aims to provide a physicalchemical characterization of commercial polyethylene bags in order to facilitate a future improvement or adaptation of recycling processes to them. Firstly, properties such as dimensions and density were measured in regular and garbage bags samples purchased in different establishments of Granada (Spain). Then, a chemical classification in three groups (HDPE, LDPE, mixture) was achieved according to Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) tests. Finally, ash content was also determined.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Technical Viability of Distributed Mechanical Recycling of PLA 3D Printing Wastes

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1247
Author(s):  
Freddys R. Beltrán ◽  
Marina P. Arrieta ◽  
Eduardo Moreno ◽  
Gerald Gaspar ◽  
Luisa M. Muneta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Intrinsic Viscosity ◽  
Polymer Chains ◽  
Polymerization Process ◽  
Recycling Process ◽  
Mechanical Recycling ◽  
Recycled Materials ◽  
Industrial Processing ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Different Sources

3D printing PLA wastes were recovered from a well-known reference grade and from different sources. The recovered wastes were subjected to an energic washing step and then reprocessed into films by melt-extrusion, followed by compression molding to simulate the industrial processing conditions. The obtained materials were characterized and the optical, structural, thermal and crystallization behavior are reported. The mechanical recycling process leads to an increase of the crystallinity and a decrease of the intrinsic viscosity of the formulations, particularly in the sample based on blends of different 3D-PLA wastes. Moreover, the obtained films were disintegrated under composting conditions in less than one month and it was observed that recycled materials degrade somewhat faster than the starting 3D-PLA filament, as a consequence of the presence of shorter polymer chains. Finally, to increase the molecular weight of the recycled materials, the 3D-PLA wastes were submitted to a solid-state polymerization process at 110, 120, and 130 °C, observing that the recycled 3D-wastes materials based on a well-known reference grade experiences an improvement of the intrinsic viscosity, while that coming from different sources showed no significant changes. Thus, the results show that 3D printing PLA products provides an ideal environment for the implementation of distributed recycling program, in which wastes coming from well-known PLA grades can successfully be processed in films with good overall performance.

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