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The recycling of thermoplastics: Prediction of the properties of mixtures of virgin and reprocessed polyolefins
Author(s) -
Bernardo C. A.,
Cunha A. M.,
Oliveira M. J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.10437
Subject(s) - materials science , melt flow index , composite material , polymer , characterization (materials science) , fiber , ultimate tensile strength , matrix (chemical analysis) , polymer science , nanotechnology , copolymer
A theoretical basis for the prediction of the properties of mixtures of virgin and reprocessed polymers is presented. The concept is developed using equations that describe the loss of polymer properties as a function of processing cycles. These equations correspond to properties that are important in characterization and quality control, such as melt flow index and tensile and impact strengths. Experimental data were determined and used to test the models derived. For glass‐fiber‐reinforced thermoplastics, the data on the degradation of fiber lengths and mechanical properties can help to understand the effect of reprocessing on the fiber‐matrix interaction.