Composites from recycled plastics co-blends with micro-fibrillar structures

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

11-25-2009

Abstract

Microfibrillar blends (MFBs) from recycled high density polyethylene (R-HDPE) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (R-PET) were made through reactive extrusion and stretching. The optimized MFBs were then used as matrix material to produce wood fiber plastic composites through a second extrusion step at the temperature for processing HDPE. The compatibility between R-PET microfibers and R-HDPE matrix was improved through compatibilization treatment. Ethylene glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (E-GMA) provided the best treatment effect. The addition of compatibilizers did not obviously change the average diameter of R-PET fibers in MFBs. The toughness of MFB was significantly enhanced, and R-PET phase did not crystallize when 5% E-GMA was used. Addition of 25% PET microfibers obviously increased the mechanical properties of the blend. Among them, tensile modulus was increased by about 134%. The subsequent addition of 40% wood flour did not influence the size and morphology of PET microfibers, and improved the comprehensive mechanical properties of MFBs. The wood flour increased the crystallinity level of HDPE in the compatibilized MFB. The storage modulus of MFB was greatly improved by wood flour.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Society of Plastics Engineers - Global Plastics Environmental Conference 2009, GPEC 2009

First Page

1305

Last Page

1340

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