Blends of HDPE wastes: study of the properties.
In this work we have analysed the properties of blends of recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) filled with talc. We have used two kinds of polymer matrices. The first one came entirely from ground injection moulded parts whereas the second was bimodal, incorporating 80% of the previous HDPE and 20% of recycled HDPE coming from bottles. We have also used two kinds of commercial talc characterized by a medium particle size of 2 microm and 10 microm, respectively. The amount of talc added to both matrices weighed of 10% and 20%. With regards to the mechanical properties of the analysed composites, greater values of Young's modulus and break stresses were found using a smaller particle size and higher talc content. On the other hand, the combination of the two HDPEs with very different viscosities produced a notable increase in the strain at break and in the absorbed energy; both measured at high and low strain rates. Despite the differences in viscosities between the two HDPEs, we did not observe separation of phases during either the processing or testing. Under impact loading, the higher energy absorption in the composites was observed when the finest talc grade with a 10% content weight was added to the bimodal matrix.
Sánchez-Soto
M
M
Centre Català del Plàstic, Technical University of Catalunya, C/Colom 114, 08222 Terrassa, Spain. m.sanchez-soto@upc.edu
Rossa
A
A
Sánchez
A J
AJ
Gámez-Pérez
J
J
D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D013627:Talc / Q000737:chemistry; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D014866:Waste Products; D013627:Talc; D020959:Polyethylene