Use of SEBS/EPR and SBR/EPR as binary compatibilizers for PE/PP/PS/HIPS blends: A work oriented to the recycling of thermoplastic wastes

Abstract

Recycling of thermoplastic wastes consisting of PE/PP/PS/HIPS blends was investigated by using SEBS/EPR and SBR/EPR as compatibilizers. The effect of the binary compatibilizer systems and processing conditions on the mechanical properties and morphology of the blends are discussed. The SEBS/EPR system allowed blends with better mechanical properties to be obtained than the SBR/EPR system; this was attributed to the chemical structure similarity between compatibilizers and recycled materials. The optimal conditions for processing of the recycled thermoplastics (blends) were found to be 190°C, 14 min of processing time and 3.5 wt.-% of compatibilizer. The morphology and mechanical properties of the blends were discussed using theoretical phase diagrams and models proposed in the literature, and good agreements between these properties were found. © 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.