Conversion of post-industrial PET-PE scraps into compatibilized plastic blends for new applications

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) / poly(ethylene) (PE) granules coming from a post-industrial packaging stream, were characterized through selective extractions followed by infrared analysis. Different granules batches resulted in a different thermal stability and in yellowing. After the characterization work the presence of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) copolymer was evidenced. Moreover the degree of yellowing was shown to increase by increasing the PE content in the granules batch. The blending of PET/PE with a stabilizer allowed to control its thermal stability, moreover the addition of compatibilizers resulted in the possibility of modulating both rheological and mechanical properties, thus favoring the employment of PET/PE based materials in different industrial applications. The use of proper flame retardants containing phosphorous allowed to obtain self extinguishing materials. The behavior to flame was influenced by structure of flame retardant and fluidity in the melt of materials. Hence the use of stabilizers and compatibilizers much impacted the self extinguishing behavior of PET/PE based materials.