Characterization of a recycled polymer by a grinding-molding process

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.3173142302058

• Palavras-chave: LDPE, FTIR Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Recycling, Hardness.

• Keywords: LDPE, FTIR Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Recycling, Hardness.

• Abstract:

  HDPE bottles were characterized after being recycled through a Crushing-Moulding process. The Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technique was used to identify the type of Polymer resulting from recycling. Shore D hardness (S_D) and uniaxial stress tests were performed to characterize the mechanical properties of the samples. Micrographs were taken by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to analyze the behavior of the fracture after the stress tests. The mechanical properties in tension were compared with finite element simulation data to predict the maximum tensile strength of different polymer designations. The FTIR analysis classified the recycled material as a Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) of bands associated with talc. The results of both the mechanical tests and the numerical model agree with this type of material. Fractographic analysis showed intragranular deformation and dimpling caused by poor adhesion of talc particles to the laminar microstructure.