Impact strength and morphology of sustainably sourced recycling polyethylene terephthalate blends

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a semi-crystalline material that is widely used in the packaging industry, mainly in the production of bottles for beverages. Similar to other plastics, PET causes a problem in disposal as it remains in the environment for a long time. Most of the bottles are thrown away after a single usage, which worsens the disposal problem. Recycling is one of the best ways to reduce the problem of disposal. However, recycling reduces the mechanical and chemical properties of the PET. Factors such as moisture absorption, biological pollutants, oxidation, high temperature, and thermal degradation have reduced the molecular weight of PET. To improve the properties, recycled PET had been blended with Polyamide 11 (PA11) at different ratios of PET: PA11, 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30. A modified styrene/acrylic/epoxy chain extender (Joncryl) was added at 1 wt % in the blend to enhance the properties. The properties of recycled PET/PA11 blends were investigated in terms of mechanical and morphological aspects. The impact strength of recycled PET/PA11 blend at the ratio of 30/70 had recorded the highest impact strength of 54.67 J/m, owing to the good impact property of PA11. The addition of 1 wt % modified styrene-acrylic chain extender (Joncryl) had further enhanced the impact strength of the blends. The findings were supported by the morphologies analyses that showed the existence of the co-continues phases and less pull out effect of particles with the addition of Joncryl. Recycled PET/PA11 blends have potentials to be used in various applications that related to the structural application of automotive and construction.