Thermal and Thermorheologic Characterization of Different Polyolefin Waste Fractions

Abstract

In this study, melt flow index values from several household waste fractions containing mainly polypropylene and high-density polyethylene, were measured at 190 °C for polyethylene and 230 °C for polypropylene-rich fractions. High values of MFI (low shear viscosities) have been reported probably due to the lower molecular mass of the polymer waste and/or the presence of surfactant compounds on the surface of the polymer flakes. Also, by extruding the same batch in different cycles at the same temperature values, the number of processing cycles on which the polymer could be recycled has been determined.