URBANREC

Nowadays polyethylene is one of the polymers produced in the greatest volume and the amount of generated waste high?density polyethylene (w?HDPE) is significant as well. Valorization and recycling of w?HDPE can be realized by blending with different types of polymers and/or elastomers for example, ethylene?vinyl acetate (EVA). For the purpose of boosting of interfacial interactions between these two polymers experimental olefin?maleic?anhydride based additives have been incorporated into the blends after optimization of the processing temperature. Impact and tensile tests have been carried out in our research work besides microscopy measurements and investigation of the effects of additive structure by FT?IR and rheology. At higher processing temperature (220°C) both tensile properties and Charpy impact strength were increased, latter one improved by 245% measured at 5°C while elongation at break enhanced by 182% with incorporation of some experimental additives compared to the neat 70/30 w?HDPE/EVA. Changes in the hydrocarbon molecular chains of experimentally compatibilized blends were observed based on FT?IR results and rheological measurements. It can be concluded that one of the most basic notions of sustainability, the 4R's (reduce, recycle, reuse, recover) has been satisfied in a successful way.

» Author: Lilla Simon?St?ger, Csilla Varga

» Reference: doi:10.1002/vnl.21806

» Publication Date: 16/09/2020

» More Information

« Go to Technological Watch