Mechanical properties of photo-degraded recycled photo-degraded polyolefins

Test bars made from a selection of polyolefins were injection moulded from virgin polymer and from blends containing recycled photodegraded polymer of the same kind. Bars were also moulded from similar blends prepared using recycled polymer that had not been photodegraded previously. The moulded bars were subjected to ultraviolet (UV) exposure and tensile tests were conducted after various exposure times. The extensibility decreased rapidly after a period of exposure that varied with the material and with fraction of recyclate contained. The results showed that previously photodegraded material acts as a pro-degradant in all of the materials studied. The recyclability of the materials is discussed.