Recycling of PVC/PU waste and reuse in PVC formulations: Structure-property relationship

Abstract

The possibility of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plasticization and modification by regenerated PVC/polyurethane (PU) blends (PVC/PUR), obtained after partial thermochemical destruction of the PU foam-backed PVC-sheet (soundproof materials waste), has been studied. The partial thermochemical destruction of the PU foam-backed PVC-sheet was carried out using alkanolamine in a one-screw extruder. The destruction product was a thermoplastic mixture of PVC and regenerated linear PUs, applicable for reuse without any purification and fractionation. The influence of processing conditions on structure-property relationships for the PVC/PUR blends was studied using the methods of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and mechanical testing. It has been established that PVC/PUR blends can be reused as an effective polymer plasticizer for PVC resin (PVC r) and as a modifier for plasticized PVC (PVCp). © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers.