Mechanical and viscoelastic properties of polyethylene‐based microfibrillated composites from 100% recycled resources

Abstract

In this study, recycled polyethylene (rPE) based microfibrillated composites (MFCs) were developed while incorporating recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET) and recycled polyamide 6 (rPA) as the reinforcing fibrillar phases at a given weight ratio of 80 wt% (rPE)/20 wt% (rPET or rPA). The blends were first melt processed using a twin‐screw extruder. The extrudates were then cold stretched at a drawing ratio of 2.5 to form rPET and rPA fibrillar structures. Next, the pelletized drawn samples were injection molded at the barrel temperatures below the melting temperatures of rPET and rPA. The tensile, three‐point bending, impact strength, dynamic thermomechanical, and rheological properties of the fabricated MFCs were analyzed. The effects of injection molding barrel temperature (i.e., 150°C and 190°C) and extrusion melt processing temperature (i.e., 250°C and 275°C) on the generated fibrillar structure and the resultant properties were explored. A strong correlation between the fibrillar morphology and the mechanical properties with the extrusion and injection molding temperatures was observed. Moreover, the ethylene/n‐butyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate (EnBAGMA) terpolymer and maleic anhydride grafted PE (MAH‐g‐PE) were, respectively, melt processed with rPE/rPET and rPE/rPA6 blends as compatibilizers. The compatibilizers refined the fibrillar structure and remarkably influenced mechanical properties, specifically the impact strength.

Study on the Rheological, Thermal, Mechanical, and Optical Properties of LDPE/LLDPE Blown Films Containing Recycled LDPE/LLDPE Pellets For Circular Economy

“…In 2019 alone, the global plastic market reached 368 million tons, and estimates show that plastic waste generation will reach 460 million tons annually by 2030. In addition, there has been a rise in the usage of plastics for personal protective equipment (PPE) and single-use plastic (SUP) in packaging due to the Coronavirus pandemic [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Besides end-of-life products, production scraps also produce a large quantity of plastic waste [10].…”

Extrinsic toughening of recycled carbon fibers in polypropylene composites in the absence of plasticity penalty

“…A higher efficiency of stress transfer across the fiber-matrix interface was observed by morphological studies upon the incorporation of a compatibilizer and led to improved mechanical characteristics in terms of flexural, tensile, and impact properties. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Wong et al 13 studied the effect of various maleic anhydridegrafted PP (PP-g-MA) with different molecular weight and anhydride content on properties of PP composites reinforced with recycled carbon fibers. It was concluded that high anhydride content is needed for a significant enhancement in mechanical properties, and the molecular weight of the coupling agent governs the strength of the samples.…”

Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Density Polyethylene at Different Environmental Conditions with Outstanding Foamability through In-Situ Rubber Nanofibrillation: Exploring the Impact of Interface Modification

“…Polymer blending represents an efficient and cost-effective strategy for enhancing polymer properties. , A substantial body of the literature showcases studies that have implemented thermoplastic elastomers to enhance the toughness of HDPE. ,− However, in many of these attempts, the enhancement has come at the cost of reduced stiffness due to the high concentration of the secondary phase. Recently, a novel generation of polymer composites known as in situ micro/nanofibrillar composites has garnered significant attention for their ability to enhance the mechanical, − rheological, − foaming, − and crystallization − behaviors of polymers. Evstatiev and Fakirov were pioneers in introducing the concept of transforming polymer–polymer blends into microfibrillar composites through in situ methods. , Unlike traditional polymer blends with a sea–island morphology, this innovative technique allows for the modification of polymer properties using a relatively small amount of the secondary phase .…”