Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Complex Blends of Recycled Polymers

Abstract

Polymers are hard to recycle because there are numerous polymers that, in general, are immiscible. Most current recycling efforts have focused on a few very common and easily recycled polymers, such as high density polyethylene milk and water bottles and clear polyethylene terephalate soda bottles. These polymers may be easily separated from the waste stream and have a high economic value for recycling. [5] Most current recycling relies on source or post-collection sorting of the waste, which causes it to be economically unfeasible to recycle all but the most commercially valuable polymers. [6] This problem leads to the landfilling of many consumer plastics. Previous studies have found that it is possible to make low-value items, such as plastic lumber, with feedstocks that do not include the high-value polymers. This study will focus on creating high-value items out of a feedstock of polymers with very little separation and sorting. [7] Now it is necessary to give a detailed explanation of why most polymers form immiscible blends. [From Introduction]