Mechanical Properties and Thermal Stability of Waste PVC/HDPE Blend Prepared by Twin-screw Extruder

Recycling of waste polyvinyl chloride plastics has attracted much attention due to environmental problems, but the poor mechanical properties, low thermal stability, frequent breakage of strands, and melt cracking of the waste plastics have limited their widespread use. To overcome these disadvantages of waste PVC (W-PVC), recycled PVC powder blend was prepared by adding high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) as a heat stabilizer and compatibilizer, respectively. An intermeshing co-rotating twin screw extruder was used to prepare the blend, and the characteristics of the blend were analyzed by SEM and TGA, and by using a UTM and Izod impact tester. The impact strength was improved as the EVA content increased for the W-PVC/HDPE (80/20 wt%) blend. As the HDPE and EVA contents increased in the W-PVC/HDPE/EVA blend, the impact strength increased. SEM observations also revealed the improved interfacial adhesion for the EVA-containing blend.