Shear and extensional rheology of polyethylenes recycled using a solvent dissolution process

Tillinghast, Guinevere; Sánchez-Rivera, Kevin L.; Huber, George W.; Winter, H. Henning; Rothstein, Jonathan P.

doi:10.1007/s00397-024-01446-y

Shear and extensional rheology of polyethylenes recycled using a solvent dissolution process

Journal Article · Thu Apr 11 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Rheologica Acta

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-024-01446-y· OSTI ID:2370032

Tillinghast, Guinevere ^[1]; Sánchez-Rivera, Kevin L. ^[2]; Huber, George W. ^[2]; Winter, H. Henning ^[2]; Rothstein, Jonathan P. ^[2]

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (United States); University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States); University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (United States); University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

There is high market demand for increasing the viability of current plastic recycling processes. In this work rheology is used to evaluate the mechanical properties of a solvent dissolution recycled polymer compared to its virgin untreated precursor. Solvent dissolution and precipitation are used to target multi-layer, multi-component, industry films, which cannot be mechanically recycled. Polyethylene was chosen as the primary polymer of interest. Polymer thermal stability was monitored via time-resolved rheology; consecutive frequency sweeps over the course of an hour while under isothermal conditions. Additional rheological experiments were performed within the identified thermally stable conditions. Small-angle oscillatory shear was complemented with steady shear viscosity experiments over a wide range of shear rates. Extensional rheology was used to determine changes in molecular weight and cross link density. As a result, rheological characterization is supplemented with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry of the solvent wash to determine components stripped from the virgin polymers during solvent treatment.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0009285

OSTI ID:: 2370032

Journal Information:: Rheologica Acta, Journal Name: Rheologica Acta Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 63; ISSN 0035-4511

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Shear and extensional rheology of polyethylenes recycled using a solvent dissolution process

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