Incorporação de polietileno pós-consumo em espumas de polietileno de baixa densidade

Abstract

The use of waste polyethylene (p-PE) in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) foams that have azodicarbonamide (ACA) as blowing agent is the topic of this paper. It characterizes used polymers, and p-PE is made of a mixture of LDPE and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). To prepare foams formulations, it evaluated performance of the Drais mixer and Banbury batch. It also tested foams formulations with and without cross-linking agent (dicumyl peroxide). The Banbury batch showed itself as more efficient to foam processing because it allows a better temperature control and eliminates intermediate steps in the process. Foams without cross-linking agent present cell collapse and lower foaming rates. It analyzed the effect of different amounts of p-PE over the morphology and mechanical properties of LDPE foams that contain 0.5% (weight) of cross-linking agent. Proportions of LDPE/p-PE (weight) tested in foams were: 100/0, 85/15, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50, and 30/70. Foams micrographies (SEM) were treated in image software to verify shape, size distribution, and area of cells. Because p-PE has higher viscosity related to LDPE, it is verified that as the p-PE amount increases in the formulation the number of cells with smaller size and areas increase. Foams presented high degree of cells heterogeneity because of the low amount of cross-linking agent used (0.5% weight), because of the difference in viscosity for used polyethylene, and because p-PE has a different kind of polyethylene in relation to virgin material. Mechanical properties of foams that use p-PE in their formulation are superior than foams made from LDPE, because p-PE contains HDPE, which is more rigid than LDPE. It is possible to verify that there is a relationship between polymeric matrix and expanded material properties. Using recycled material in foams is an alternative to recycle polymers. It makes possible to get foams with interesting properties from the technological and market point of view, considering the application in protection package for fragile products. Adding up to 70% of p-PE (weight) in formulations that contain 5% of blowing agent generates foams with ideal density rage to apply in packages (25 to 90 kg.m-3