The Feasibility of Using the MFC Concept to Upcycle Mixed Recycled Plastics

Several mixed recycled plastics, namely, bilayer polypropylene/poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PP/PET) film, polyolefins (MPO) and talc-filled PP were selected for this study used as matrices the preparation of microfibrillar composites (MFCs) with PET reinforcement fibres. MFCs successfully prepared by a three-step processing (extrusion—cold drawing—injection moulding), although significant difficulties in observed. Contrary to previous results virgin PP, no outstanding mechanical properties achieved; they showed little or almost improvement compared unreinforced plastics. SEM characterisation high level fibre coalescence present MFC made from PP/PET while other MFCs, large heterogeneity microstructure was identified. Despite these disappointing results, concept remains an interesting approach upcycling polymer waste. However, current shows that requires further in-depth investigations which consider various factors such viscosity, heterogeneity, presence different additives levels degradation.