Processability predictions for mechanically recycled blends of linear polymers
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Janne van Gisbergen
Abstract
Recycling of thermoplastic polymers is an important element of sustainable circular economy practices. The quality of mechanically recycled polymers is a concern. A method is presented to predict the structure and processability of recycled blends of polymers based on processability knowledge of their virgin precursor components. Blending rules at molecular weight distribution level are well established and form the foundation of the new method. Two essential fundamental building blocks are combined with this foundation. First, component and blend structure are related to viscosity via tube theories. Second, viscosity is related to melt flow index via a continuum mechanics approach. Emulator equations are built based on virtual experimental designs for fast forward and reverse calculations directly relating structure to viscosity and processability. The new combined method is compared with empirical blend rules, and shows important similarities and also clear quantitative differences. Finally, the new method is applied to practical recycling quality challenges.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Special issue: Polymer engineering rheology
- Material properties
- Volume fraction and width of ribbon-like crystallites control the rubbery modulus of segmented block copolymers
- Influence of trisilanol isooctyl POSS content on the structure, morphology and rheological properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
- Engineering and processing
- Oscillating shear capillary rheometry (OSCAR) for polymer melts
- Plastic drawing response in the biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) process: polymer structure and film casting effects
- A quantitative study on using digital photoelasticity for characterising the effect of the stretching speed on the necking phenomenon
- Effects of structure and processing on the surface roughness of extruded co-continuous poly(ethylene) oxide/ethylene-vinyl acetate blends
- Processability predictions for mechanically recycled blends of linear polymers
- Prediction of the maximum flow length of a thin injection molded part
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Special issue: Polymer engineering rheology
- Material properties
- Volume fraction and width of ribbon-like crystallites control the rubbery modulus of segmented block copolymers
- Influence of trisilanol isooctyl POSS content on the structure, morphology and rheological properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
- Engineering and processing
- Oscillating shear capillary rheometry (OSCAR) for polymer melts
- Plastic drawing response in the biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) process: polymer structure and film casting effects
- A quantitative study on using digital photoelasticity for characterising the effect of the stretching speed on the necking phenomenon
- Effects of structure and processing on the surface roughness of extruded co-continuous poly(ethylene) oxide/ethylene-vinyl acetate blends
- Processability predictions for mechanically recycled blends of linear polymers
- Prediction of the maximum flow length of a thin injection molded part
