Investigating the Effect of Photo-Oxidative Degradation on the Ageing Resistance of the Car Mudflaps Manufactured with Post-Production High-Density Polyethylene Wastes

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the ageing resistance of automotive mudfl aps made of recycled polyethylene blends. The mudfl aps were manufactured by a plastic sheet extrusion-calendaring process in Novotech Kostrzyn nad Odrą company. The changes of the mechanical properties in the tensile test and impact toughness test as well as in Shore hardness due to the accelerated aging process were characterized, taking into account the aging sensitivity coeffi cient (KI), and changes in the structure within the wavenumber range 4000-400 cm -1 , taking into account the CI coeffi cient. The results showed a higher melting point and crystallinity for the recycled HDPE blends during photo-oxidative degradation. Moreover, the results presented decreased tensile strength and ductility, due to macromolecular chain scission caused by oxidation. It was found that the blends of HDPE based on recycled materials are more sensitive to the aging process than virgin HDPE. Finally, it can be concluded that the sensitivity to ageing blends increases with the increase of recycled HDPE content in the HDPE matrix.

Comparative Evaluation of the Selected Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites Reinforced with Glass and Hemp Fabrics

“…This applies to the technology industry in the area of everyday items through the automotive, machinery, building materials, economics, aerospace, defense, and shipbuilding industries. The EU framework program called H2020, the universal application of technological process design (TRL -Technology Readiness Level), and the European Commission's package concerning the circular economy of December 2015, indicated the need to solve a global problem of disposal and/or recycling [10,[12][13][14][15] for FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) recreational watercraft that have been taken out of service [16][17][18][19][20].…”