Reprocessing of polymer blends from WEEE: A methodology for predicting embrittlement

For recycling purposes, the thermal degradation of post-consumed (pc) ABS/HIPS and PP/PE blends derived from waste electrical electronic equipment (WEEE) was obtained by multiple extrusions. The evolution molar mass (Mw), melt flow index (MFI), ultimate elongation (?r) reprocessed evaluated as a function extrusion cycles. mechanism corresponds to random chain scission indicated diminution ?r correlated an increase in MFI decrease Mw after 30 cycles extrusion. same type occurs on blend shown drop thus factor six but only 11 cycles, suggesting higher thermomechanical resistance ABS/HIPS. beginning critical for embrittlement (M'c) zone reached around 130 200 kg/mol PP/PE, respectively, which can be related 12 63 g/10 min (230 °C/2.06 kg), respectively. As result, we propose innovative criterion using measurements that allow quick easy analysis polymer blends.