Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Polymer Blends’ Technology for Plastics Recycling

  • Chapter
Frontiers in the Science and Technology of Polymer Recycling

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSE,volume 351))

Abstract

Out of the three methods of plastic waste recycling, that is, polymer recycling, feedstock recycling, and energy recovery, the former is the most desirable. The polymer recycling usually involves: segregation, washing, shredding and extruding. During melt-extrusion, the material undergoes devolatilization, stabilization, compatibilization, alloying, filtering and pelletization. The alloying, blending, and compounding are the basic ABC processing steps of the technology for polymer recycling. Hence, this chapter summarizes these elements of blending technology that are pertinent for polymer recycling in three parts: (i) thermodynamics of polymer blends, (ii) flow behavior of polymers and their blends, and (iii) compounding and processing of polymer blends.

The first part provides a brief outline of the principal aspects of the thermodynamics (miscibility and interfacial properties) and compatibilization (either by addition of a compatibilizer, by reactive or mechanical compatibilization). The second part focuses on melt rheology — the flow behavior of multicomponent, polymeric systems (including the fundamental principles of the morphology modeling). The third part summarizes the basics of mixing, blending, alloying, and compounding methods, as well as it outlines the principles of morphology modeling. Since compatibilization and development of blends’ morphology are topics of other chapters in this book, these topics are only outlines to provide proper image of the technology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Utracki, L. A. (1989) Polymer Alloys and Blends, Hanser Verlag, Munich.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Tompa, H. (1956) Polymer Solutions, Butterworths Sci. Pub., London.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Nies, E., Stroeks, A., Simha, R., and Jain, R. K. (1990) Colloid Polym. Sci. 268, 731–43.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Helfand, E., and Tagami, Y. (1971) “Theory of the interface between immiscible polymers,” J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Letters, 9, 741.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Helfand, E., and Sapse, A. M. (1975) “Theory of polymer-polymer interferes;’ J. Chem. Phys., 62, 1327.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Helfand, E., and Wasserman, Z. R. (1976) “Block copolymer theory,” Macromolecules, 9, 879.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Utracki, L. A. (ed) (1994) Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Commercial Polymer Blends, ChemTec Pub., Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Yukioka, S., and Inoue, T. (1994) “Ellipsometric analysis on the in situ reactive compatibilization of immiscible polymer blends,” Polymer, 35, 1182–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Noolandi, J. (1984) “Recent advances in the theory of polymeric alloys,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 24, 70–78.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Vilgis, T. A., and Noolandi, J. (1988) “On the compatibilization of polymer blends,” Makromol. Chem., Makromol. Symp., 16, 225–234.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Leibler, L. (1988) “ Emulsifying effects of block copolymers in incompatible polymer blends,” Makromol. Chem., Macromol, Symp., 16, 1–18.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Tang, T., and Huang, B. (1994) “ Interfacial behavior of compallbl1ize s in polymer blends, ” Polymer, 35, 281–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ajji, A., and Utracki, L. A. (1996) “Interphase and compatibilization of polymer blends,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 36, 1574–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Anastasiadis, S. H. (1988) “Interfacial tension of immiscible polymer blends,” PhD thesis, U. Princeton.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Luciani, A. Champagne, M. F., and Utracki, L. A. (1997) “Interfacial Tension Determination by Retraction of an Ellipsoid”, J. Polym. Sci. B, Polym. Phys. Ed., 35, 1393–1403.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Fayt, R., Jérôme, R., and Teyssié, Ph. (1986) “Molecular design of multicomponent polymeric systems. 13,” Makromol. Chem., 187, 837–852.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Vesely, D. (1996) “Micro structural characterization of polymer blends,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 36, 1586–93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Nadkarni, V. M., and Jog, J. P. (1991) “Crystallization behavior in polymer blends,” in Two-Phase Polymer Systems, Utracki, L. A., Ed., Hanser Verlag, Munich.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Porter, R. S., and Wang, L.-H. (1992) “Compatibility and transesterification in binary polymer blends,” Polymer, 33, 2019–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Yoon, H. Feng, Y. Qiu, Y., and Han, C. C. (1994) “Structural stabilization of phase separating PC/polyester blends through interfacial modification by transesterification reaction,” J. Polym. Sri., Polym. Phys. Ed.,32 1485–92.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Golovoy, A., Cheung, M. F., Carduner, K. R., and Rokosz, M. J. (1989) “Control of trensesterification in polyester blend,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 29, 1226–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Pillon, L. Z., and Utracki, L. A. (1984) “Compatibilization of polyester/polyamide blends via catalytic ester-amide interchange reaction,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 4, 1300 1305.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Utracki, L. A. (1997) Commercial Polymer Blends, Chapman & Hall, London.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Utracki, L. A. (1995) “The Rheology of Multiphase Systems,” in Rheological Fundamentals of Polymer Processing, Covers, J. A., AgasKint, J. F., Diogo, A. C, Vlachopoulos, and Walteas,K,Fi c,KluNer Academic Pub.s,Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  25. Lyngaae-Jorgensen, J., and Utracki, L. A. (1991) “Dual phase continuity in polymer blends,” Makromol. Chem., Macromol. Symp., 48/49, 189–209.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Utracki, L. A. (1991) “On the viscosity-concentration dependence of immiscible polymer blends,” J. Rheol., 35, 1615–1637.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Bousmina, M., Palierne, J. F., and Utracki, L. A. (1997) “Modeling of Polymer Blends’ Behavior During Capillary Flow,” Polym. Eng. Sci.,in press.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Valenza, A., Lyngaae-Jorgensen, J., Utracki, L. A., and Sammut, P. (1991) “Rheological Characterization of Polystyrene/Polymethylmethacrylate Blends,” Polym. Networks Blends, 1, 79–92.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Utracki, L. A., and Sammut, P. (1990) “Rheology of polycarbonate/linear low density polyethylene blends,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 30, 1027–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Elemans, P. H. M. (1989) “Modeling of the processing of incompatible polymer blends,” PhD thesis, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Palierne, J. F. (1990) “Linear rheology of viscoelastic emulsions with interfacial tension,” Rheol. Acta, 29, 204–214.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Riemann, R.-E., Cantow, H.-J., and Friedrich, C. (1996) “Rheological investigation of form relaxation and interface relaxation processes in polymer blends,” Polym. Bull., 36, 637–643.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Utracki, L. A., and Sammut, P. (1992) “Rheological Response of Polyamide/Polypropylene Blends,” Polym. Networks Blends, 2, 23–39; 85 93.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Laun, H. M., and Schuch, H. (1989) “Transient elongational viscosities and drawability of polymer melts,” J. Rheol., 33, 119–175.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Nishio, T., Sanada, T., and Higashi, K. (1992) “Flow behavior of interface structure controlled PP/PA alloys,” Sen-i Gakkaishi, 48, 446–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Delaby, I., Ernst, B., Germain, Y., and Muller, R. (1994) “Droplet deformation in polymer blends during uniaxial elongational flow,” J. Rheol., 38, 1705–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Erwin, L. (1991) “Laminar mixing,” in Mixing in Polymer Procemng, Rauwendaal, C., ed., M. Dekker,Inc.,NewYork.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Poitou, A., PhD thesis, École des Mines de Paris (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Rauwendaal, C. (1986) Polymer Extrusion, Hanser Verlag, Munich.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Ottino, J. M. (1989) The Kinematics of Mixing: Stretching, Chaos and Transport, Cambridge U. Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Goettler, L. A. (1984) “Mechanical property enhancement in short-fiber composites through the control of fiber orientation during fabrication,” Polym. Compos., 5, 6071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Utracki, L. A., Luciani, A. (1996) “Mixing in Extensional Flow Field,” Intl. Plast. Eng. Techn., 2, 37–54.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Luciani, A., and Utracki, L. A. (1996) The Extensional Flow Mixer, EFM,“ Intern. Polymer Proces, 11, 299–309.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. White, J. L. (1990) Twin Screw Extruder Technology and Principles, Hanser Verlag, Munich.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Tadmor, Z., Hold, P., and Valsamis, L. (1979) “A novel polymer processing machine theory and experimental results,” SPE Techn. Papers, 25, 193–211.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Patfoort, G. A. R., Belg. Pat., 833,543, 18 Mar 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Shih, C.-K., Tynan, D. G., and Denelsbeck, D. A. (1991) “Rheological properties of multicomponent polymer system undergoing melting or softening during compounding,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 31, 1670–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Lindt, J. T. Polym. Eng. Sci.,21 1162 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  49. Lindt, J. T., and Ghosh, A. K. (1992) “Fluid mechanics of the formation of polymer blends,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 32, 1802–13.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Utracki, L. A., and Shi, Z.- H. (1992) “Development of polymer blend morphology during compounding in a twin screw extruder. Part 1: A review,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 32, 1824–1833.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Shi, Z.- H., and Utracki, L. A. (1992) “Development of polymer blend morphology during compounding in a twin screw extruder. Part 2: Theoretical predictions of morphology development during extrusion,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 32, 1834–1845.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Bordereau, V., Shi, Z.- H., Utracki, L. A., Sammut, P., and Carrega, M. (1992) “Development of polymer blend morphology during compounding in a twin screw extruder. Part 3: Experimental procedures and preliminary results,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 32, 1846–1856.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Huneault, M. A., Shi, Z.-H., and Utracki, L. A. (1995) “Development of polymer blend morphology during compounding in a twin screw extruder. Part IV: A new computational model with coalescence”, Polym. Eng. Sci., 35, 115–127.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Delamare, L., and Vergnes, B. (1996) “Computation of the morphological changes of a polymer blend along a twin screw extruder ”, Polym. Eng. Sci., 36, 1685–93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Industrial Materials Institute, National Research Council Canada, 75 de Mortagne, Boucherville, QC, Canada, J4B 6Y4

    L. A. Utracki

Authors
  1. L. A. Utracki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Chem. and Polymer Sci .& Technology, Middle East Technical University, 06531, Ankara, Turkey

    Güneri Akovali (Director, lecturer) (Director, lecturer)

  2. Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, 4800, Guimares, Portugal

    Carlos A. Bernardo (Co-Director, lecturer) (Co-Director, lecturer)

  3. Polymer Tech., Ortec Corp., 2395 Speakman Drive, L5K 1B3, Missisagua, Ontario, Canada

    Jacob Leidner (lecturer) (lecturer)

  4. Industrial Materials Institute, National Research Council of Canada (NRCC), 75 de Mortagne, J4B 6Y4, Boucherville, Quebec, Canada

    Leszek A. Utracki (lecturer) (lecturer)

  5. Polymer Processing Institute at Stevens Institute of Technology, Castle Point on Hudson, 07030, Hoboken, NJ, USA

    Marino Xanthos (lecturer) (lecturer)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Utracki, L.A. (1998). Polymer Blends’ Technology for Plastics Recycling. In: Akovali, G., Bernardo, C.A., Leidner, J., Utracki, L.A., Xanthos, M. (eds) Frontiers in the Science and Technology of Polymer Recycling. NATO ASI Series, vol 351. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1626-0_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1626-0_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5074-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-1626-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation