Improvement of mechanical properties of recycled PET by reactive toughening and post-crystallization

Noticeable increase in impact strength of recycled PET (RPET) was achieved using ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EBA-GMA) type reactive terpolymer (PTW). The decrease stiffness and heat resistance due to toughening successfully compensated by thermal annealing. Based on the results, strong correlation can be shown between crystallinity strength: increasing results reduced at PTW contents higher than 5 m/m%, yet a 6-time compared 100 % crystallized RPET reached with 15 m/m% content. Regarding stiffness, appears key parameter: above critical value 10 sharp improvement properties noticed. properly choosing elastomer ratio post-crystallization conditions, post-consumer suitable for durable engineering applications as well.