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There are presented results of investigation of electrostatic separation of binary mixtures containing a biodegradable polymer {polylactide (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), or poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3,4HB)]} and a commonly used polymer [poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) or poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)]. It was found that the binary mixtures of these polymers could be efficiently separated. The electrostatic separation process of the P(3,4HB)/PET mixture appeared to be most successful. It is indicated that the share of a biodegradable component in the mixture essentially influences the separation effects. Therefore, suitable choice of necessary conditions is needed to perform the separation process, which includes appropriate separator settings, depending on fractions of individual components in the mixture being separated.

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Investigation of the effect of electron radiation and foaming agent on some properties of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) was the aim of the present paper. The mass flow rate, weight-average molecular weight of irradiated PBAT as well as the morphological structure of foamed samples, their density, tensile strength, and specific strength were determined. It was found that irradiation of PBAT induces growth in weight-average molecular weight and decrease in mass flow rate, and as a consequence of this increase in viscosity of this polymer. It was also found that foaming of irradiated PBAT causes formation of homogeneous cellular structure or structure with a clear separation of large and small cells. Simultaneously, the irradiated and foamed PBAT shows smaller density than that of non-irradiated and foamed PBAT. Moreover, electron radiation does not influence tensile strength of the foamed PBAT; however, it increases its specific strength, although only if the content of foaming agent is 1 wt%.