The automotive industry is examining alternative designs of systems and components that facilitate material recovery during the processing of end-of-life vehicles. Specifically, if materials or components can be designed to separate preferentially, then material recovery from product waste will be enhanced. Two waste concepts were examined for their practical value: (1) size distribution and the related Pi Breakage theory; and (2) the liberation of materials. Samples consisting of ABS and PVC were assembled with a variety of geometries, characteristic lengths, subcomponent configurations and fastening methods. A detailed evaluation of thermoplastic comminution found that particle size distributions fit the Gaudin size distribution relationship well. Of all the parameters studied, only the granulator exit screen size had a significant impact on the average and distribution of comminuted particle sizes. The Pi Breakage theory, generally advocated for its use in waste processing, did not hold well; however, selection function values were found to decrease with decreasing size of feed particles.; Three product design parameters and one material recovery parameter were evaluated to determine their effects on the liberation of thermoplastic materials from manufactured products. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
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