FILMS LDPE/LLDPE MADE FROM POST - CONSUMER PLASTICS: PROCESSING, STRUCTURE, MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the investigation into the themo-mechanical, rheological and structural properties of films made from recycled polyethylenes in the "foil-to-foil" system, the comparative material were films made from primary raw materials. The films were prepared by melt mixing technique in a single screw extruder. Primary polyethylenes, recyclates and their blends were used. The aim of the research was to determine the quality of the materials derived from the closed process of the recycling of polyethylene film in comparison to virgin plastics. The mechanical properties of the films were measured by tensile test and puncture test. The morphology was studied using polarized light microscopy (POM) and FT-IR measurements. DSC and shrinkage were used to determine thermal behavior and the degree of crystallinity. The results showed that the obtained recycled blends rLDPE/rLLDPE are high-quality material with good processing properties susceptible to the production of thin films. Studies on the mechanical properties of the recycled blends showed an increase in tensile strength and elongation. An increase in the melting temperature and heat of fusion, as determined from DSC, was observed with an increase in the recycled blends. Puncture results demonstrated that the post-consumer recycled film was more strength than the film made from virgin plastics. Thus, these materials may serve as valuable recycled plastics useful for packaging applications.

Keywords

• Polyethylenes
• films
• recycling
• extrusion
• Crystallinity
• FTIR
• mechanical properties