Advanced recycling process for waste plastics based on physical degradation theory and its stability

In this study, we evaluated the mechanical properties of pre-consumer recycled polypropylene thin films molded at more various temperatures, times and cooling conditions. We also evaluated the durability toward UV irradiation, and the effects of re-molding and annealing on the stability of these improved mechanical properties. The results of this study show that the mechanical properties of recycled polypropylene can be greatly improved to be almost the same as those of virgin polypropylene by choosing suitable molding condition. The mechanically improved samples also show enhanced durability towards UV. Annealing is also carried out to stabilize the mechanical properties that had been improved by quenching.