From Disposal to Technological Potential: Reuse of Polypropylene Waste from Industrial Containers as a Polystyrene Impact Modifier

Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna, Danilo Diniz Siqueira, Eduardo da Silva Barbosa Ferreira, Wallisson Alves da Silva, Jessika Andrade dos Santos Nogueira and Edcleide Maria Araújo
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Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna: Academic Unit of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, 58429-900 Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
Danilo Diniz Siqueira: Academic Unit of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, 58429-900 Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
Eduardo da Silva Barbosa Ferreira: Academic Unit of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, 58429-900 Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
Wallisson Alves da Silva: Academic Unit of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, 58429-900 Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
Jessika Andrade dos Santos Nogueira: Academic Unit of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, 58429-900 Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
Edcleide Maria Araújo: Academic Unit of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, 58429-900 Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 13, 1-21

Abstract: The practice of recycling over the years has been increasingly encouraged, with the aim being the manufacturing of materials that contribute to sustainable development. In light of this, the present work evaluated the potential of mixtures of polystyrene (PS)/recycled copolymer polypropylene (PPr), using styrene-(ethylene/butylene)-styrene (SEBS) as a compatibilizing agent. Initially, the mixtures were prepared in a co-rotational twin-screw extruder, and, afterwards, the extruded granules were molded by injection. The properties of torque rheometry, impact strength, tensile properties, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), heat deflection temperature (HDT), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were evaluated. The formulation PS/PPr/SEBS (70/20/10 %wt.) demonstrated an increase in viscosity, corroborating with an increase of 123% and 227% in the elongation at break and impact strength, respectively, compared to neat PS. Though the elastic modulus and tensile strength suffered losses, the reduction was not drastic. Furthermore, the addition of a semi-crystalline recycled material in the amorphous matrix (PS) contributed to an increase in thermomechanical strength, as seen in the HDT. The morphology revealed that SEBS is effective in making PS/PPr mixtures compatible because the dispersed phase is well adhered to the PS matrix and promotes greater morphological stability. Thus, it is possible to add value to discarded material and reduce the costs of the final product, which can reduce pollution.

Keywords: sustainable development; polypropylene; reuse; impact modifier; polystyrene (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:13:p:5272-:d:377904

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