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Cestari SP, J. Martin P, R. Hanna P, P. Kearns M, Mendes LC, Millar B. Use of virgin/recycled polyethylene blends in rotational moulding. JOURNAL OF POLYMER ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/polyeng-2021-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Aiming to further plastics recycling via rotational moulding plastics processing, blends of virgin and recycled polyethylene sourced from post-consumer plastics were developed. Three different kinds of recycled high density polyethylene – from bottles, pipes and mixed household waste – were compounded with virgin medium density polyethylene in an extruder. The ideal amount of recyclate was chosen based upon the impact resistance of different contents (25, 50 and 75%) of recycled plastic with the 50/50 blend found to have the best performance. Compression-moulded and rotationally-moulded samples were analysed through falling dart impact test, flexural test, melt flow rate and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The impact results of the compression-moulded samples showed an increase in the impact resistance of the blends with a higher melt flow index and lower degree of crystallinity. The rotationally-moulded specimens displayed much lower impact resistance than the pure virgin plastic and a 20–30% reduction in the flexural moduli, which were ascribed to the crystalline structure of the part and issues in the blends’ rotomoulding process. It was concluded that blending virgin and recycled polyethylene for rotational moulding can be an effective way to further plastics recycling inside the Circular Economy context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibele Piedade Cestari
- School of Natural and Built Environment , Queen’s University of Belfast , University Road , Belfast , BT7 1NN , Northern Ireland , UK
| | - Peter J. Martin
- Polymer Processing Research Centre , Queen’s University of Belfast , University Road , Belfast , BT7 1NN , Northern Ireland , UK
| | - Paul R. Hanna
- Polymer Processing Research Centre , Queen’s University of Belfast , University Road , Belfast , BT7 1NN , Northern Ireland , UK
| | - Mark P. Kearns
- Polymer Processing Research Centre , Queen’s University of Belfast , University Road , Belfast , BT7 1NN , Northern Ireland , UK
| | - Luis Claudio Mendes
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro , Avenida Horácio Macedo, 2030 – Centro de Tecnologia , Bloco J, Cidade Universitária , Rio de Janeiro , RJ 21941-598 , Brazil
| | - Bronagh Millar
- Polymer Processing Research Centre , Queen’s University of Belfast , University Road , Belfast , BT7 1NN , Northern Ireland , UK
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Dou Y, Rodrigue D. Morphological, thermal and mechanical properties of recycled HDPE foams via rotational molding. J CELL PLAST 2021; 58:305-323. [PMID: 35535315 PMCID: PMC9075883 DOI: 10.1177/0021955x211013793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, foamed recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) parts were
produced by rotational molding using different concentration (0 to 1% wt.) of a
chemical blowing agent (CBA) based on azodicarbonamide. From the samples
produced, a complete morphological, thermal and mechanical characterization was
performed. The morphological analysis showed a gradual increase in the average
cell size, while the cell density firstly increased and then decreased with
increasing CBA content. As expected, increasing the CBA content decreased the
foam density as well as the thermal conductivity. Although increasing the CBA
content decreased both tensile and flexural properties, the impact strength
showed a similar trend as the cell density with an optimum CBA content around
0.1% wt. Finally, neat rHDPE samples were also produced by compression molding.
The results showed negligible differences between the rotomolded and compression
molded properties indicating that optimal rotomolding conditions were selected.
These results confirm the possibility of using 100% recycled polymers to produce
rotomolded foam parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Dou
- Department of Chemical Engineering and CERMA, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Denis Rodrigue
- Department of Chemical Engineering and CERMA, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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Moscoso-Sánchez FJ, Mendizábal E, Jasso-Gastinel CF, Ortega-Gudiño P, Robledo-Ortíz JR, González-Núñez R, Rodrigue D. Morphological and mechanical characterization of foamed polyethylene via biaxial rotational molding. J CELL PLAST 2014. [DOI: 10.1177/0021955x14566207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Foamed linear medium density polyethylene parts were prepared by rotational molding in biaxial mode, using different amounts of chemical-blowing agent (azodicarbonamide). Morphological and mechanical properties are presented and discussed in terms of foam density, cell density, average cell diameter, and open cell content. Internal air temperature of the mold was measured as a function of time. Significant differences were observed between unfoamed and foamed parts. The use of an exothermic chemical-blowing agent increased the peak internal air temperature and part cooling was slower due to the presence of gas bubbles acting as insulating material. The most important changes were observed for foam density: adding 1 phr of azodicarbonamide the density decreased from 0.931 g/cm3 (0 phr azodicarbonamide) to 0.295 g/cm3. Finally, the mechanical properties were highly influenced by azodicarbonamide content. Tensile and impact properties were correlated with part density using a simple power–law equation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo Mendizábal
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Carlos F Jasso-Gastinel
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Pedro Ortega-Gudiño
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Jorge R Robledo-Ortíz
- Departamento de Madera, Celulosa y Papel, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Rubén González-Núñez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Denis Rodrigue
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Université Laval, Quebec City, Qc G1V 0A6, Canada
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Calò E, Massaro C, Terzi R, Cancellara A, Pesce E, Re M, Greco A, Maffezzoli A, Gonzalez-Chi PI, Salomi A. Rotational Molding of Polyamide-6 Nanocomposites with Improved Flame Retardancy. INT POLYM PROC 2013. [DOI: 10.3139/217.2552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The aim of this work was to develop polyamide-6/ organic-modified montmorillonite (omMMT) nanocomposites for the production of hollow parts by rotational molding. Particular emphasis was placed on the mechanical and flame retardancy properties needed for the fabrication of vessels for flammable liquids. The morphology of the melt compounded nanocomposites, produced by melt compounding, was investigated by X-ray diffraction measurements (WAXD), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed an exfoliated structure. Rheological measurements were used in order to verify whether the viscosity of materials was adequate for rotational molding. While thermomechanical analysis has revealed that neat PA6 and its nanocomposites were not suitable for rotational molding, due to the very low thermal stability of the polymer, the addition of a thermal stabilizer, shifted the onset of degradation to higher temperatures, thus widening the processing window of both PA6 and PA6 nanocomposites. Large-scale vessel prototypes were obtained by rotational molding of thermo-stabilized PA6 and its nanocomposites, and samples extracted from the rotomolded parts were characterized with respect to physical and mechanical properties. It was found that the PA6 nanocomposites exhibited significant improvements at cone calorimeter tests in comparison with neat PA6.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Calò
- ENEA – Department of Advanced Physical Technologies and New Materials, Brindisi Research Centre, Brindisi, Italy
| | - C. Massaro
- ENEA – Department of Advanced Physical Technologies and New Materials, Brindisi Research Centre, Brindisi, Italy
| | - R. Terzi
- ENEA – Department of Advanced Physical Technologies and New Materials, Brindisi Research Centre, Brindisi, Italy
| | - A. Cancellara
- ENEA – Department of Advanced Physical Technologies and New Materials, Brindisi Research Centre, Brindisi, Italy
| | - E. Pesce
- ENEA – Department of Advanced Physical Technologies and New Materials, Brindisi Research Centre, Brindisi, Italy
| | - M. Re
- ENEA – Department of Advanced Physical Technologies and New Materials, Brindisi Research Centre, Brindisi, Italy
| | - A. Greco
- Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - A. Maffezzoli
- Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - P. I. Gonzalez-Chi
- Centro de Investigacionn Cientifica de Yucatan, Unidad de Materiales, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
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Muller JD, Bousmina M, Maazouz A. 2D-Sintering Kinetics of Two Model Fluids as Drops. Macromolecules 2008. [DOI: 10.1021/ma702349s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Damien Muller
- LMM/IMP, UMR CNRS #5223, Université de Lyon, INSA de Lyon, Bâtiment Jules Verne, 69100 Villeurbanne, France, Canada Research Chair on Polymer Physics and Nanomaterials, Department of Chemical Engineering, CREPEC, Laval University, Sainte-Foy Québec, G1K 7P4 Québec, Canada, and Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Mosto Bousmina
- LMM/IMP, UMR CNRS #5223, Université de Lyon, INSA de Lyon, Bâtiment Jules Verne, 69100 Villeurbanne, France, Canada Research Chair on Polymer Physics and Nanomaterials, Department of Chemical Engineering, CREPEC, Laval University, Sainte-Foy Québec, G1K 7P4 Québec, Canada, and Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Abderrahim Maazouz
- LMM/IMP, UMR CNRS #5223, Université de Lyon, INSA de Lyon, Bâtiment Jules Verne, 69100 Villeurbanne, France, Canada Research Chair on Polymer Physics and Nanomaterials, Department of Chemical Engineering, CREPEC, Laval University, Sainte-Foy Québec, G1K 7P4 Québec, Canada, and Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, Rabat, Morocco
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