Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping Applications
This study focuses on the upgrading strategies to make Fil-s (acronym for film-small), a polyolefin-based material coming from the mechanical recycling of post-consumer flexible packaging, fit for re-use in the piping sector. The effects of washing treatments (at cold and hot conditions) and the add...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/1/71 |
| _version_ | 1797543407422275584 |
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| author | Emilia Garofalo Luciano Di Maio Paola Scarfato Arianna Pietrosanto Antonio Protopapa Loredana Incarnato |
| author_facet | Emilia Garofalo Luciano Di Maio Paola Scarfato Arianna Pietrosanto Antonio Protopapa Loredana Incarnato |
| author_sort | Emilia Garofalo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study focuses on the upgrading strategies to make Fil-s (acronym for film-small), a polyolefin-based material coming from the mechanical recycling of post-consumer flexible packaging, fit for re-use in the piping sector. The effects of washing treatments (at cold and hot conditions) and the addition of an experimental compatibilizer on the chemical-physical properties of Fil-s were first assessed. The measurements of some key properties (density, melt flow index, flexural modulus, yield strength), for both Fil-s as such and the different developed Fil-s based systems, was also conducted in order to evaluate the suitability of this complex and challenging waste stream to replace virgin PE-based pipe and fitting products, in compliance to ASTM D3350 standard. The outcomes of the present work contributed to define a code, for each Fil-s system investigated, useful for identifying the level of their performance in piping applications. All the recyclates were extruded as pipes by using a pilot scale plant, but the process resulted more stable and continuous with the compatibilized Fil-s, as it was deducible from its flow properties. Moreover, the best mechanical performances were exhibited by the hot-washed Fil-s pipes, with an increase in pipe stiffness equal to 65% respect to the unwashed sample. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:44:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-03a0bb7a8c20461885480f70a81176e9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:44:10Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-03a0bb7a8c20461885480f70a81176e92023-11-21T02:42:00ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602020-12-011317110.3390/polym13010071Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping ApplicationsEmilia Garofalo0Luciano Di Maio1Paola Scarfato2Arianna Pietrosanto3Antonio Protopapa4Loredana Incarnato5Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), ItalyCOREPLA-Italian Consortium for the Collection and Recycling of Plastic Packages, Via del Vecchio Politecnico, 20121 Milano (MI), ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), ItalyThis study focuses on the upgrading strategies to make Fil-s (acronym for film-small), a polyolefin-based material coming from the mechanical recycling of post-consumer flexible packaging, fit for re-use in the piping sector. The effects of washing treatments (at cold and hot conditions) and the addition of an experimental compatibilizer on the chemical-physical properties of Fil-s were first assessed. The measurements of some key properties (density, melt flow index, flexural modulus, yield strength), for both Fil-s as such and the different developed Fil-s based systems, was also conducted in order to evaluate the suitability of this complex and challenging waste stream to replace virgin PE-based pipe and fitting products, in compliance to ASTM D3350 standard. The outcomes of the present work contributed to define a code, for each Fil-s system investigated, useful for identifying the level of their performance in piping applications. All the recyclates were extruded as pipes by using a pilot scale plant, but the process resulted more stable and continuous with the compatibilized Fil-s, as it was deducible from its flow properties. Moreover, the best mechanical performances were exhibited by the hot-washed Fil-s pipes, with an increase in pipe stiffness equal to 65% respect to the unwashed sample.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/1/71flexible packagingmixed polyolefin recyclatepiping applicationspipes stiffness |
| spellingShingle | Emilia Garofalo Luciano Di Maio Paola Scarfato Arianna Pietrosanto Antonio Protopapa Loredana Incarnato Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping Applications Polymers flexible packaging mixed polyolefin recyclate piping applications pipes stiffness |
| title | Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping Applications |
| title_full | Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping Applications |
| title_fullStr | Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping Applications |
| title_short | Study on Improving the Processability and Properties of Mixed Polyolefin Post-Consumer Plastics for Piping Applications |
| title_sort | study on improving the processability and properties of mixed polyolefin post consumer plastics for piping applications |
| topic | flexible packaging mixed polyolefin recyclate piping applications pipes stiffness |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/1/71 |
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