Recycling polyethylene from automotive fuel tanks

摘要

Polyethylene (PE) from postuse automotive fuel tanks is considered a valuable material for mechanical recycling, and we assessed its properties, paying particular attention to transport properties and processability. The characterization included the study of the sorption-desorption isotherms, the rheological analysis of the molten materials and their processability. In particular, we obtained, sorption-desorption isotherms using a model molecule (n-heptane) to simulate contact with the fuel. The measurements were carried out on films of PE blend for tanks and separately on the components of the blend. Rotational rheometry was carried out on scraps from used tanks and on virgin material for comparison. We performed some extrusion tests to evaluate the possibility of mechanical recycling of the postuse materials. In particular, we examined the melt-fracture incoming conditions by making use of a twin-screw extruder with a round die. Stress-strain measurements were carried out on films of virgin and used material, obtained with a press on a laboratory scale to evaluate the change of the mechanical properties of a manufacture obtained by reprocessing a polymer aged in contact with a mixture of liquids. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [References: 6]