Abstract
Changes occurring in the tensile properties of oriented polypropylene tapes have been investigated following the addition of recycled process waste at various concen trations. In addition, the effects on resulting tape properties of adding stabilizers to blends of virgin polymer and waste prior to extrusion are determined. A significant loss in tape strength occurs when recycled or waste polypropylene is added because of thermooxidative degradation, as indicated by MFI and GPC studies. Our results demonstrate that useful tapes with acceptable tenacities in excess of 0.5 Ntex-1 can be achieved using up to 25% w/w of some recycled waste polymers in the absence of stabilizers. However, simultaneous introduction of a specified antioxidant system per mits waste polymer additions as high as 75% while maintaining acceptable tensile properties.
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