Quantification of Losses in Properties of Recycled  Plastics: A Comparative Study

B.O .Ugwuishiwu.; R. I. Urama; C.N. Okonkwo

Volume : II, Issue : XI, November - 2013

Quantification of Losses in Properties of Recycled Plastics: A Comparative Study

B. O . Ugwuishiwu. , R. I. Urama, C. N. Okonkwo

Abstract :

The application of additives, modifiers in the production of plastics, and usage makes properties of virgin plastics vary with that of recycled plastics. Mechanical properties of the plastics such as flexural strength, flexural modulus, tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation impact strength and specific gravity were tested in this study. From the results, Tensile strength of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) reduced by 19.4%, while that of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) reduced by 7.8%. The elongation of HDPE reduced by 17.8% while that of PET was 3.5%. The Young modulus of HDPE reduced by 36% while that of PET was 28%. The Specific gravity of HDPE increased by 5.3% while that of PET was 2.4%. The flexural strength of HDPE reduced by 13.2% while that of PET was 9.6%. The Impact strength of HDPE reduced by 20.2% while that of PET was 23.2%. The flexural modulus of HDPE reduced by 30.8% while that of PET was 31%. Statistical analysis on properties lost due to aging and recycling process was done using ANOVA