Mixed polyolefin powders recycled via solid-state shear pulverization process

Klementina Khait*, Stephen Howard Carr

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Continued research at Northwestern University suggests a new way to turn commingled post-consumer recycled plastics into useful blends via Solid-State Shear Pulverization (S3P) process. The process subjects polymers to high shear while rapidly removing frictional heat. No melting takes place, and a relatively uniform powder is discharged. Post-consumer, mixed-color recycled polyolefins have been converted into well-defined powders suitable for many demanding applications. This result has been achieved via a novel S3P process (which employs a modified twin screw extruder made by Berstorff Maschinenbau, GmbH, Germany) with many kinds of resins, including linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), blends of HDPE/PP (70:30), HDPE/LLDPE (60:40), and HDPE/LLDPE/PP (60:30:10). Classification of these powders by screen analysis revealed either unimodal or bimodal distributions; scanning electron microscopy showed that in all cases the particles are elongated, with aspect ratios on the order of 5, due to the intense shear of the S3P process.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAnnual Technical Conference - ANTEC, Conference Proceedings
Editors Anon
PublisherSoc Plast Eng
Pages2533-2537
Number of pages5
Volume2
StatePublished - Jan 1 1998
EventProceedings of the 1998 56th Annual Technical Conference, ANTEC. Part 1 (of 3) - Atlanta, GA, USA
Duration: Apr 26 1998Apr 30 1998

Other

OtherProceedings of the 1998 56th Annual Technical Conference, ANTEC. Part 1 (of 3)
CityAtlanta, GA, USA
Period4/26/984/30/98

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mixed polyolefin powders recycled via solid-state shear pulverization process'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this