Development of Recycled Plastic Composites from Consumer Electronic Appliances
Mahaa Ahmed Jonathan Cotler [email protected] [email protected]
Kaitlyn Mullin [email protected]
Abstract HDPE could potentially be utilized in the plastic lumber industry. Consumer Electronic Appliances (CEAs), such as computer and printer 1. Introduction housings, are composed of different types of plastics that can be recycled through Recently, plastics derived from collection, identification, and sortation. CEA’s have attracted attention for their applicability in the recycled plastic lumber Typical CEA plastics such as acrylonitrile 1 butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), industry. Plastics from CEAs present a possible replacement for traditional polycarbonate (PC), and PC/ABS blends are 2 thermoplastics, which have the potential to materials such as steel and wood. The be used for future applications, such as primary goal of this research is to evaluate recycled plastic lumber. A handheld Fourier the mechanical properties of various plastic Transform Infrared (FTIR) composites and determine their potential in spectrophotometer was brought to a plastic the recycled plastic lumber industry; The de-manufacturer to identify and sort CEA plastics were collected from Tech different types of plastics found in the Recycling de-manufacturer. The amount of recycled CEA waste stream. These plastics each plastic identified at the de- were then blended in different compositions manufacturer is included [Figure 1]. with high density polyethylene (HDPE), a Plastic materials including relatively inexpensive and lightweight Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene plastic that offers great durability, through Styrene (ABS), Polystyrene (PS) and a injection molding. The mechanical PC/ABS blend were collected and tested in properties of each sample were then tested this research. From the plastic obtained in tension and impact; in the samples tested, from Tech Recycling, 67% was ABS, 21% greater strength and resistance was shown was PC, 5% was PS, 1% was PC/ABS, and by increasing the composition of PC and 6% were different plastics not used in this ABS in HDPE. The overall data analysis research. Each of these plastics was mixed confirms that blends of CEA plastics and with High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) to potentially enhance the mechanical properties of HDPE. HDPE is the As polymers, plastics possess predominant material used for plastic various compelling qualities, such as the lumber due to its durability, low cost, and ability to be easily processed and recycled, ubiquity.3 along with being relatively cheap.5 Plastics The specific purpose of this research are either semi-crystalline or is to evaluate and analyze the mechanical amorphous.5 Semi-crystalline plastics have properties of various plastic materials. FTIR disordered and ordered regions.5 Properties was used to identify the composition of the that increase with crystallinity include plastic materials obtained from Tech opacity, rigidity, and tensile strength.5 Recyclers. Each type of plastic was Amorphous plastics’ molecular structures granulated, dry blended with HDPE at are often arbitrarily arranged.5 various concentrations, and processed The plastics industry prospers due to through injection molding. Tensile testing its low cost, flexibility in manufacturing and was conducted to evaluate the effect of CEA compelling qualities.5 The cost of plastic plastic reinforcement on HDPE. This composites is lower than that of steel and the method of testing determines the modulus of weight of plastic composites is lower than elasticity, yield strength, strain at yield, and that of steel and aluminum.3 Plastic ultimate tensile strength.4 composites are materials made up of two or Analyzing the mechanical properties more constituents, which typically possess of plastic composites can give insight to the different chemical and physical properties.5 variety of potential applications recycled A plastic composite is usually made of a plastics may have in the plastic lumber polymer matrix and a reinforcing agent.5 industry. As compared with traditional Commonly used reinforcing agents include materials like steel and wood, CEA plastic fiberglass, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, composites offer enhanced durability since mica, and rubber.5, 6, 7 Plastic composites they are not subject to corrosion and offer have varying thermal, mechanical, electrical environmental benefits.2 Overall, the and optical properties. By determining the purpose of this research is to determine the thermal properties of plastic composites, one potential recycled CEA plastics have in the is able to determine the necessary processing expanding plastic lumber industry. conditions, optimize the material properties, and determine appropriate applications. 2. Background Thermal properties that are usually tested include melting point and glass Polymers are long chains of transition point.8 The melting temperature is monomers, which are individual the temperature at which the crystalline components covalently bonded to one regions become molten or liquid-like.8 another. There are natural and synthetic Glass transition is the temperature at which polymers; synthetic polymers are typically molecules are free to move and slide past derived from oil and natural gas. Polymers one another.8 Semicrystalline polymers have can be further categorized as either 5 a glass transition and melting temperature, thermoplastics or thermosets. while amorphous polymers only have a glass Thermoplastics can be heated and molded 8 5 transition temperature. Semicrystalline multiple times and are recyclable. In polymers are processed above their melting contrast, thermosets can be heated and temperature, and amorphous polymers are molded only once, thus, they are not 5 processed above their glass transition recyclable. temperature.8 Mechanical properties need to be determined for plastic composites in processing must be above the glass order to successfully determine appropriate transition and melting point temperatures.12 applications. Nearly 30% of all globally produced In order to discern the mechanical plastics are developed via injection molding properties of plastic composites, the [Figure 2].13 The four stages of injection American Standard Test Methods (ASTM) molding include clamping, injection, cooling must be adequately followed. Common in a specific mold, and ejection.13 The tests measure loading situations in terms of injection phase of the injection molding tensile, compression, flexural and shear process includes placing pellets of plastic forces. Data obtained from these tests are materials or blends of plastic materials into presented in force versus displacement the machine.13 The plastic material is then curves and stress versus strain curves.9, 10 melted by a combination of heat and These graphs allow one to determine the pressure, which is injected into the mold modulus, ultimate strength, stress at fracture, afterwards.13 The third phase, cooling, strain at fracture, and toughness.9, 10 encompasses the molten plastic cooling Viscoelasticity is another crucial trait inside the mold once it contacts the interior of a polymer. A viscoelastic polymer mold surface.13 As the molten plastic slowly displays both viscous and elastic properties cools, it takes the shape of the mold. The under deformation.11 Its response to a stress final phase of injection molding, ejection, is load is dependent upon its chemical ejecting the cooled plastic from the mold structure, morphology, size of the applied after a sufficient amount of time has load, rate or time period of loading, and passed.13 Following the injection molding temperature. If the material is more elastic, process, additional processing may be the energy is stored in deformed bonds, required. The pressure for injection molding meaning the material can return to its must be high enough to force plastic through original shape.11 However, it may exemplify the nozzle and into the mold; additionally, a viscous response, where energy is the RPM rate can affect mixing.12 dissipated in flow and molecules slide past A common method of determining one another, resulting in no elastic recovery the type of plastic in a sample is done and plastic deformation.11 through Fourier Transform Infrared Plastic processing is relatively Spectroscopy (FTIR Spectroscopy). inexpensive due to lower temperatures and Essentially, infrared radiation is absorbed less energy required as compared to other and transmitted through a sample; when this industrial processes.5 Additionally, there is a radiation interacts with the molecules of the lot of flexibility in manufacturing sample, it absorbs energy and vibrates applications due to the ability to make lots faster.14 The specimen of this sample is then of shapes for various uses. Compounding is analyzed through the library infrared a common practice which involves spectrum of absorption peaks and vibration combining a base plastic resin with other frequencies.14 The corresponding peaks and components; this process makes the base vibrations of the specimen and documented resin perform better, cost less, process more plastic help to determine the amount of easily, look more attractive, and improve which plastic is present and thus, its identity other characteristics.12 Types of plastic [Figure 3].14 processing include extrusion, blow molding, injection molding, intrusion molding, and compression molding.12 The temperature for
2.1 Materials polymers.16 PC is often used in a blend with ABS to encompass the polymers’ best There are myriad plastics that are qualities. PC/ABS blends possess unique utilized for consumer electronics. However, 12 qualities such as high toughness at low not all plastics can be recycled. Polyvinyl temperatures and high melt flow.16 PC/ABS chloride (PVC) is an unusable plastic due to blends further have high ductility and impact its harmful chlorine content along with its strength at temperatures below those of pure inability to be incinerated, therefore PC.16 PC’s chemical structure consists of occupying space in landfills.15 The main repeating C16H14O3 monomers, shown plastics used in this experiment are PC, below:19 ABS, PC/ABS blends, HDPE, and PS. PC Monomer 2.2 PC PC is a polymer composed of Bisphenol A (BPA) monomers.16 It is a transparent plastic commonly used to produce a variety of products, including shatterproof windows, digital media, Figure 4: PC Monomer medical devices, electronic equipment, and 16 eyeglass lenses. PC is formed by 2.3 ABS condensation polymerization; this is the polymerization of one or more monomers ABS is a terpolymer, which is a resulting from the elimination of small polymer made of three monomers. Different 16, 17 molecules. Condensation grades of properties can be achieved through polymerization between BPA and either a different percentages of each component.20 carbonyl chloride or a diphenyl carbonate ABS is a thermoplastic and is amorphous, 16 results in the PC polymer. PC is part of the with a glass transition temperature of 105° 16 polyester category of plastics. Unique C.20, 21 Additional mechanical properties of properties of PC include its high impact ABS include its impact toughness and 16 strength and transparency. PC is one of the resistance.20 ABS has moderate heat, most widely used thermoplastics, chemical, and moisture resistance, limited particularly in the field of engineering, due weather resistance, and flammability with to its various beneficial qualities, including high temperatures.21 The lightweight nature that it is environmentally friendly and of ABS allows applications in household 16, 18 recyclable. The primary application of and consumer goods, such as small kitchen PC is in the optical media market, appliances and toys (e.g. Lego Bricks), although PC is also often used in whitewater canoes, and drain-waste-vent 16 computers. Global demand for PC is pipe systems.20 ABS is composed of a 16 nearly 1.5 million tons. combination of three monomers in different PC is amorphous and thermally proportions: the Acrylonitrile monomer 16 resistant up to 135°C. It can be processed (C3H3N), Butadiene monomer (C4H6) and the 20, by injection molding, structural foam Styrene monomer (C8H8), as shown below: molding, extrusion, vacuum molding, and 22 16 blow molding. Additionally, PC is commonly used in polymer blends primarily due to its compatibility with other ABS Monomer strength.24 HDPE is preferred in packaging over glass, metal and cardboard due to its durability, resistance to heat, and light weight.3, 5 HDPE is composed of the ethylene monomer, which is shown below 25 and has a chemical formula of C2H4. Figure 5: ABS Monomer HDPE Monomer 2.4 PC/ABS Blends
PC/ABS blends are made by combining PC and ABS in manners such as Injection Molding (IM). Commonly used in computer housing, PC/ABS blends have interesting properties that vary by percent 2 composition of each material. A higher Figure 6: HDPE Monomer concentration of PC increases the Young’s Modulus and results in a higher stress at 2 2.6 PS fracture. A low percentage of PC results in a large percent strain at fracture, as does a 2 PS is polymerized from liquid high percentage of PC. However, a blend petrochemical styrene.26 When crafted for containing 20-80% PC has a small percent 2 general purposes, PS is clear, hard, and strain at fracture. A similar result is found brittle.27 Additionally, the material is for the impact strength for the same interval 27 2 inexpensive per unit weight. Its relatively of composition. A PC/ABS blend has low melting point accounts for its low cost.27 similar properties to both PC and ABS, PS is commonly used for packaging and except it is usually stronger, tougher, and 2 containers, particularly because it has good more durable. PC/ABS blends are also insulation properties.27 Unfortunately, it is resistant to both hot and cold temperatures, very slow to biodegrade and is, therefore, moisture, and creep, which is the permanent 26 23 considered an abundant waste. PS’s deformation due to a continuous stress. chemical structure consists of repeating 28 C8H8 monomers, as shown below. 2.5 HDPE PS Monomer Polyethylene is a commonly produced polymer in the US. HDPE is a recyclable thermoplastic made from petroleum with a large strength-density ratio.5 It has a variety of applications, including soda bottles, fireworks, and plastic Figure 7: PS monomer lumber composites.3, 5 At a worldwide market volume of 30 million tons in 2007, HDPE is the second most widely used plastic in the world.3 As compared to Low Density Polyethylene, HDPE has higher intermolecular forces and a higher specific 3. Methods when calculating these tensile property values.9 The specimen must break within the 3.1 FTIR middle gage length, or the data will be discarded.9 Five specimens were tested for Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) is each sample. a common method of infrared spectroscopy used to identify unknown materials and to 14 3.4 Impact Testing determine the components of mixtures. Samples of FTIR Spectra Graphs for ABS, Impact testing measures the strength PC, PC/ABS and PS are included [Figures of a material against brutal forces.10 A 8-11]. 20.9 kg of plastic were previously pendulum arm swings and hits the material analyzed with a handheld FTIR machine, at a designated notch; the energy absorbed identified, and sorted at the de- during impact is measured and evaluated in manufacturer, Tech Recycling [Figure12]. terms of strength of the plastic specimen.10 An Instron Dynatup POE 2000 was utilized 3.2 Injection Molding for impact testing. The notching is prepared 40 hours prior to the testing so that the Injection molding is a method clamps can secure onto the notch of the commonly utilized to process thermoplastics specimen.10 For each sample, ten plastic and thermosets; it is the preferred method specimens were tested. for processing plastic parts, primarily because of the inexpensive operational cost of injection molding despite its high initial 4. Results and Discussion price.13 This molding process was utilized to The results of tensile testing are make all the plastic samples for this shown in Figures 1-23. Results for tensile experiment. There were 17 samples modulus, tensile yield, and tensile break processed. Blends of 0, 10, 20, 30, 35, and points were analyzed. HDPE was regarded 40 % CEA plastics in HDPE were tested, for as the control of the composites tested, with which the CEA plastic component was the goal to create a CEA Plastics-reinforced either PC, ABS PC/ABS, or PS. HDPE composite with enhanced properties
as compared with HDPE alone. 3.3 Tensile Test
4.1 Tensile Modulus Results Tensile testing determines tensile properties, such as ultimate strength and Young’s modulus refers to the ratio modulus, of dogbone-shaped plastic of the tensile stress to the tensile strain in the specimens.9 A plastic specimen is held by linear region and is essentially a measure of two clamps, and these clamps stretch the the stiffness of a material.9 Higher modulus specimen apart until a breaking point has values indicate higher stiffness.9 HDPE been reached.9 An extensometer is used to achieved an average modulus of 1.22 +/- measure the elastic deformation of the 0.07 GPa. The tensile modulus retains specimen during the procedure.9 The load relatively similar values with increasing versus deflection is recorded, from which composition of PS [Figure 13]. The modulus stress-strain curves and tensile mechanical was between 1.44 and 1.55 GPa for the first properties are derived.9 Each of the samples’ three concentrations of PS-HDPE. As for the specific measurements of width, thickness, PC-HDPE blend tested, the modulus slightly and gage length were taken into account increased with increasing composition of PC; the values ranged from 1.42 to 1.54 GPa maintained an average of 22 GPa strain with [Figure 17]. When analyzing the data of the a decreasing set of percentage values from ABS-HDPE samples, the samples’ moduli 10.4% to 3.99%. When PC-ABS was mixed increase along with increasing composition with HDPE the blend exemplified similar of ABS [Figure 21]. The modulus values trends to their original components (PC and obtained for the ABS-HDPE blend ranged ABS); there were slightly increasing stress from 1.30 to 1.58 GPa. When PC-ABS was values along with dramatically decreasing blended with HDPE and tested, the modulus strain percentage values [Figure 26]. The exemplified an increasing trend, with a values for the stress at yield ranged from 23 slight decrease for the 30% (PC-ABS)- to 26 GPa, while the values for the strain HDPE sample [Figure 25]. The values for percentage at yield decreased from 10.18% this blend’s moduli ranged from 1.40 to 1.60 to 3.97%. GPa. All of the samples’ moduli were comparatively greater than HDPE’s average 4.3 Tensile Break Results modulus value. The highest modulus strength was shown by the 40% (PC-ABS)- Tensile break point indicates the HDPE sample. This gives insight to its point at which the specimen fractured. All of ability to handle more tensile stress and the samples, including PS-HDPE, PC- exhibit rigidity than the other samples. HDPE, ABS-HDPE, and (PC-ABS)-HDPE, were observed to have the same trend in 4.2 Tensile Yield Results their respective tensile break plots. With increasing concentration of their respective Tensile yield point describes the CEA plastic, the stress increased while the point at which the material deformation strain percentage decreased. A decreasing changes from elastic to plastic deformation.9 percent strain at fracture can indicate a Prior to the yield point, elastic deformation decrease in a material’s ductility. The virgin can be recovered after load removal.9 After resin, HDPE, had an average stress load of the yield point, plastic deformation cannot 16 +/- 0.3 MPa with a strain percentage be recovered after load removal. At yield, average of 49.88 +/- 6.62%. For PS-HDPE HDPE’s average stress load was 21 +/-0.1 the stress at break increased from 16 to 21 MPa, while the strain percentage reached an MPa, and the strain percentage decreased average of 12.4+/-0.36%. The PS-HDPE from 236.13% to 8.64% [Figure 15]. The blend’s stress at yield remained at 22 (+/-1) blend of PC-HDPE had stress values at GPa while its strain decreased with break that increased from 17 to 27 MPa; the increasing PS composition; the strain strain percentage values decreased 122.79% percentage values of PS-HDPE ranged from to 6.37% [Figure 19]. In Figure 18, the 11.01% to 6.07% [Figure 14]. As for PC- stress values of ABS-HDPE at break HDPE the stress at yield values slightly increased from 15 to 22 MPa, and its strain increased with increasing PC composition percentage values rapidly decreased from [Figure 18]. It had values from 22 to 27 64.01% to 4.91% [Figure 23]. When PC and GPa. However, the strain percentage values ABS were blended together to mix with tended to decrease, encompassing declining HDPE the values of stress at break ranged values from 10.13% to 6.04%. The ABS- from 17 to 24 MPa; the strain percentage HDPE blend had slightly increasing stress values at break decreased from 53.52% to values and rapidly decreasing strain 4.12% [Figure 27]. The (PC-ABS)-HDPE percentage values [Figure 22]. The blend had its stress maximum at 30% PC-ABS; there was a quick decline from 30% to 35% plastic composites with higher percent PC-ABS, then another steady incline. This compositions of PC can withstand less strain leads to the implication that 30% PC-ABS than those with lower percent compositions has optimal ultimate strength over higher of PC. concentrations of PC-ABS in HDPE. PC- The stress-strain curve comparing HDPE exemplified the ability to retain most ABS-HDPE samples to that of HDPE stress while also allowing the highest % signifies that stress experienced was strain at fracture. between 21 and 23 MPa [Figure 24]. 10% ABS-HDPE withstood the most amount of 4.4 Stress-Strain Results strain in comparison to all other samples. ABS-HDPE samples with percent Stress-strain curves convey the compositions of 20%, 30%, 35%, and 40% modulus value, ultimate tensile strength ABS were able to withstand the least value, stress at fracture, strain at fracture, amount of strain before fracture. This and toughness of a plastic specimen; they indicates that ABS-HDPE plastic indicate the tensile properties of each sample composites with higher percent of recycled plastic composites. Stress is the compositions of ABS withstood more stress, force per unit area and strain is amount of but withstood less strain before fracture. deformation that a material experiences. Finally, the stress-strain diagram Stress-strain curves, comparing each comparing (PC-ABS)-HDPE samples plastic composite sample to HDPE, were indicates trends found in the previously developed to convey the tensile properties mentioned stress-strain diagrams. (PC- evaluated during tensile testing. The stress- ABS)-HDPE samples with 30%, 35%, and strain curve comparing the properties of the 40% (PC-ABS) experienced the most stress, various samples of PS-HDPE to the control but withstood the least amount of strain sample of HDPE indicates that amount of before fracture [Figure 28]. The amount of stress experienced by all samples was stress for the samples varied between 20 and relatively similar and varied between 21 and 25 MPa. The maximum strain withstood 23 MPa. [Figure 16] However, the amount before fracture was experienced by 10% of strain at which each sample fractured (PC-ABS)-HDPE. This further demonstrates varied; PS-HDPE composites with 35% and that (PC-ABS)-HDPE plastic composites 40% PS composition fractured earlier than with higher percent compositions of (PC- other samples. This demonstrates that ABS) can withstand more stress than strain. increasing the percent composition of PS in the PS-HDPE composite, the amount of 4.5 Shortcomings strain withstood decreases. The stress-strain diagram depicting Problems were encountered when the samples of PC-HDPE in comparison to testing 35% (PC-ABS)-HDPE. The HDPE conveys that the amount of stress specimens repeatedly broke at the grips or experienced by all the samples differed immediately following the removal of the between 20 and 28 MPa [Figure 20]. 30%, extensometer. Through careful observation, 35%, and 40% PC-HDPE samples were able a stress concentration at the location of the to experience the most of amount of stress. entry of the mold was found on all the 10% PC-HDPE was able to withstand the specimens. This was due to a failure to heat most amount of strain in comparison to the mold during production, which caused other samples. This signifies that PC-HDPE improper flow of the molten plastic. Due to this, the specimens broke in the grips, and data needed to be collected again. various advantages such as being Additionally, the 35% and 40% PS-HDPE environmentally friendly and reducing the samples had faulty data; therefore, we have amount of waste produced. Future work to return to obtain the correct data for 35% related to this research includes flexural and 40% PS-HDPE again. testing and analysis of thermal properties to further understand the properties of recycled 5 Conclusion CEA plastic composites.
Recycled CEA plastic composites 6 Acknowledgements are a potential alternative in the plastic lumber industry. Plastics developed from We would like to thank our mentor, injection molding were tested for their Dr. Jennifer Lynch, Agrim Bhalla of Rutgers mechanical properties by tensile testing. University, and our Residential Teaching Tensile testing allowed for the determination Assistant mentor Kelly Ruffenach for of which recycled plastic composite is most guiding us through this research project. We viable for the plastic lumber industry in would like to acknowledge our additional terms of overall mechanical properties. mentors, Rachit Mehta, Arya Tewatia, Analysis of the results from tensile testing Meredith Taghon, Laz Pacheco, and Riti indicates that (PC-ABS)-HDPE is the most Khamgaonkar, for their assistance. We promising candidate as a recycled CEA would also like to thank the New Jersey plastic composite to be used in the plastic Governor’s School of Engineering and lumber industry. (PC-ABS)-HDPE had the Technology, Ilene Rosen, Director, and Jean highest modulus value and withstood the Patrick Antoine, Assistant Director, as well most stress and strain. Based on analysis of as Rutgers School of Engineering and the its mechanical properties, (PC-ABS)-HDPE New Jersey Governor’s School Board of has potential in the plastic lumber Overseers. Finally, we would like to industry. This research contributes to the acknowledge our main sponsors: Rutgers growing interest in developing alternatives University, The State of New Jersey, to wood and steel. The plastic lumber Lockheed Martin, Morgan Stanley, Novo industry currently utilizes plastic composites Nordisk, The Provident Bank Foundation, as alternatives to the more traditional Silver Line Windows, and South Jersey materials. However, recycled plastic Industries, Inc., for sponsoring the New composites derived from CEA show Jersey Governor’s School as well as Axion potential in the plastic lumber industry. International, Inc. and Tech Recyclers for This research demonstrated that sponsoring the research. recycled plastic composites, such as (PC- ABS)-HDPE, are able to be used in the 7 Resources plastic lumber industry. Axion International, Inc., a major company invested in the plastic 1) Jennifer K. Lynch and Thomas Nosker, lumber industry, strives to utilize recycled “The Development of Recycled plastic composites for railroad ties and Thermoplastic Composite Bridges,” SPE- bridges. Essentially, analysis of the ANTEC Technical Papers, May 2011 mechanical properties of recycled plastic composites, particularly tensile testing, allows for the determination of appropriate applications. Recycled plastic lumber poses 2) Joseph Carpenter, Thomas Nosker and 9) ASTM Standard D 636-08: Test Method Richard Renfree, “Recycling of Plastics for Tensile Properties of Plastics, Annual from Computer Electronic Appliances,” Book of Standards, ASTM International, Report presented to USEPA Region II under West Conshohocken, PA, 2008 Solid Waste Grant #X1992948-98-9, 2000 10) ASTM Standard D 256-06a: Test 3) Ceresana, “Market Study: Polyethylene - Method for Determining the Izod Pendulum HDPE (2nd ed.) (UC-4305),” Plastics, Impact Resistance of Plastics, Annual Book March 2013 of Standards, ASTM International, West
22) “ABS”. Illustration. n.d..
23) Bayer MaterialScience AG, “Bayblend (PC+ABS; PC+ASA blend) product description,” Product Center, 17 April 2014
24) MakeItFrom.com, “Compare Materials,” 2013,
25) “HDPE”. Illustration. n.d..
Appendix
Total Weight Weight Weight Weight Total Total % (lbs) (kg) ABS 30.9 14.0 67 PC 9.5 4.3 21 PS 2.3 1.0 5 PVC 1.9 0.8 4 HIPS 0.9 0.4 2 PC/ABS 0.6 0.3 1 Total Weight 46.1 20.9
Figure 1: Plastics collected from Tech Recycling de-manufacturer
Figure 2: Injection Molding Single Screw Extrusion Figure3: FTIR absorption spectrum
ABS
Figure 8: FTIR Spectra graph showing the unknown sample in red and the best match from the library in blue for ABS PC
Figure 9: FTIR Spectra graph showing the unknown sample in red and the best match from the library in blue for PC
PC/ABS
Figure 10: FTIR Spectra graph showing the unknown sample in red and the best match from the library in blue for PC/AB
PS
Figure 11: FTIR Spectra graph showing the unknown sample in red and the best match from the library in blue for PS
Figure 12: HandheldFTIRunit
Tensile Modulus PS-HDPE 2.00
1.75
1.50 Modulus (GPa) Modulus 1.25
1.00 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
% PS in HDPE
Figure 13: Tensile Modulus Plot corresponding to PS-HDPE blends
Tensile Yield PS-HDPE 100 14 Stress at Yield 90 Strain at Yield 12
80
70 10
60 8 50 40 6
30 4 Yield at Strain % Stress at Yield (MPa) Yield at Stress 20 2 10 0 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % PS in HDPE
Figure 14: Tensile Yield Plot corresponding to PS-HDPE blends Tensile Break PS-HDPE 120 40 Stress at Break 35 100 Strain at Break
30
80 25
60 20
15
40 % Strain at Break at Strain %
Stress at Break (MPa) Break at Stress 10 20 5
0 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % PS in HDPE
Figure 15: Tensile Break Plot corresponding to PS-HDPE blends
Stress-Strain PS-HDPE 25
20
15 HDPE 10% PS
Stress (MPa) Stress 10 20% PS 30% PS 5 35% PS 40% PS 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 Strain (mm/mm)
Figure 16: Tensile Stress-Strain Curve corresponding to PS-HDPE Tensile Modulus PC-HDPE 2.00
1.75
1.50 Modulus (GPa) Modulus 1.25
1.00 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % PC in HDPE
Figure 17: Tensile Modulus Plot for corresponding PC-HDPE blends
Tensile Yield PC-HDPE 100 14.0 Stress at Yield 90 Strain at Yield 12.0
80
70 10.0
60 8.0 50 40 6.0
30 4.0 Yield at Strain % 20 Stress at Yield (MPa) Yield at Stress 2.0 10 0 0.0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % PC in HDPE
Figure 18: Tensile Yield Plot for corresponding PC-HDPE blends Tensile Break PC-HDPE 120 200 Stress at Break 180 100 Strain at Break
160
140 80 120 60 100 80
40 Break at Strain % 60 40 20 Stress at Break (MPa) Break at Stress 20 0 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
% PC in HDPE
Figure 19: Tensile Break Plot for corresponding PC-HDPE blends
Stress-Strain PC-HDPE 30
25
20
15 HDPE 10% PC Stress (MPa) Stress 10 20% PC 30% PC 5 35% PC 40% PC 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 Strain (mm/mm)
Figure 20: Tensile Stress-Strain Curve corresponding to HDPE Tensile Modulus ABS-HDPE 2.00
1.75
1.50 Modulus (GPa) Modulus 1.25
1.00 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % ABS in HDPE
Figure 21: Tensile Modulus Plot for corresponding ABS-HDPE blends
Tensile Yield ABS-HDPE 100 14 90 Stress at Yield Strain at Yield 12
80
70 10
60 8 50 40 6
30 4 Yield at Strain % 20 Stress at Yield (MPa) Yield at Stress 2 10 0 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % ABS in HDPE
Figure 22: Tensile Yield Plot for corresponding ABS-HDPE blends Tensile Break ABS-HDPE 120 90 Stress at Break 80 100 Strain at Break
70
80 60 50 60 40 40 30
20 Break at Strain % Stress at Break (MPa) Break at Stress 20 10 0 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % ABS in HDPE Figure 23: Tensile Break Plot for corresponding ABS-HDPE blends
Stress-Strain ABS-HDPE 25
20
15 HDPE 10 10% ABS Stress (MPa) Stress 20% ABS 30% ABS 5 35% ABS 40% ABS 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Strain (mm/mm)
Figure 24: Tensile Stress-Strain Curve corresponding to HDPE Tensile Modulus (PC-ABS)-HDPE 2.00
1.75
1.50 Modulus (GPa) Modulus 1.25
1.00 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % (PC-ABS) in HDPE
Figure 25: Tensile Modulus Plot for corresponding (PC-ABS)-HDPE blends
Tensile Yield (PC-ABS)-HDPE 100 14.0 90 Stress at Yield Strain at Yield 12.0
80
70 10.0
60 8.0 50 40 6.0
30 4.0 Yield at Strain %
Stress at Yield (MPa) Yield at Stress 20 2.0 10 0 0.0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % (PC-ABS) in HDPE
Figure 26: Tensile Yield Plot for corresponding (PC-ABS)-HDPE blends Tensile Break (PC-ABS)-HDPE 100 80 90 Stress at Break Strain at Break 70 80 60 70 60 50 50 40
40 30
30 Break at Strain % Stress at Break (MPa) Break at Stress 20 20 10 10 0 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % (PC-ABS) in HDPE
Figure 27: Tensile Break Plot for corresponding (PC-ABS)-HDPE blends
Stress-Strain (PC-ABS)-HDPE 30
25
20
15 HDPE 10% (PC-ABS) Stress (MPa) Stress 10 20% (PC-ABS) 30% (PC-ABS) 5 35% (PC-ABS) 40% (PC-ABS) 0 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 Strain (mm/mm)
Figure 28: Tensile Stress-Strain Curve corresponding to HDPE