CHAIN EXTENSION OF VIRGIN AND RECYCLED POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE): RAPID ESTIMATE OF MOLECULAR WEIGHT INCREASE

摘要

This work is concerned with the determination of changes in molar masses of virgin and recycled PET resulting from the action of a chain extender additive compounded in a laboratory internal mixer, based on the processing data provided by the mixer, without further analysis. Results obtained show that the additive increases the molecular weight of both, virgin and recycled PET. Actual values depend on the amount of additive used and processing conditions. The additive tested is more efficient increasing the molar mass of the virgin versus the recycled resin (more additive is needed to obtain the same relative increase).