From Waste to Potential Reuse: Mixtures of Polypropylene/Recycled Copolymer Polypropylene from Industrial Containers: Seeking Sustainable Materials

This work investigated the effect of thermo-oxidation aging in blends copolymer polypropylene (PPc)/recycled (PPcr) from industrial container waste, coded as PPc/PPcr blends. All compounds were melt extruded, and injection molded specimens characterized by mechanical properties (tensile impact), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), flow index (MFI), contact angle, heat deflection temperature (HDT), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR spectra presented bands related to hydroperoxides carbonyl groups, resulted aging. The angle decreased upon a influence, corroborating spectra. PPcr higher MFI consequence reprocessing. Impact strength elongation at break quite sensible influence progressively reduced increased time, whereas tensile strength, elastic modulus, HDT only slightly changed. SEM images PPc quantity pulled-out particles, lower interaction between phases, i.e., ethylene/propylene. From impact toughness data, proper dissipation energy mechanisms found Summing up, using contributed minimize properties’ losses, which may be stabilizer agents, described results great potential for PP market, while contributing sustainable environment.