Comparative studies and identification of polyethylenes by differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis

In thermal analysis polyethylenes can be characterized by their melting temperature. With the polyethylene mixtures studied, we obtained the best results during solidification. Crystallization temperature decreased in the order: high density PE, low density PE linear, radical low density PE. Calorimetric measurement of crystallization enthalpies allowed the determination of the composition of each of the polyethylenes, in regenerated and recycled mixtures in relation with the frame of the plastic waste valorisation process. The rate of crystallization obtained from X-ray diffraction spectra of these polymers is function of their volumic mass. A good agreement has been observed between these two techniques.