Morphology and mechanical properties of recycled PVC blends (III) - Morphologies and mechanical properties of recycled PVC/PE blends with different kinds of compatibilizers and mixing conditions

The polymer blends of waste poly(vinyl chloride) (RPVC) and waste polyethylene (RPE) were prepared by melt mixing. Various ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) and ethylene-methacrylic acid Na salt copolymer (ionomer) were used as compatibilizer. Their morphologies and mechanical properties were evaluated as a funtion of mixing sequence and time. EVA with high vinyl acetate contents showed a rapid increment of tensile properties when small amount was added. Tensile properties of the blends were gradually increased with the addition of ionomer. Morphologies of RPVC/RPE blends were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. FT-IR data showed that EVA was a good compatibilizer in RPVC/RPE blend compared to ionomer. Mechanical properties of the blends were highly enhanced when RPVC and compatibilizer were mixed and first RPE was added later.