PROCESSING AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF RECYCLED PVC AND OF HOMOPOLYMER BLENDS WITH VIRGIN PVC

Mechanical and processing properties of recycled polyvinylchloride (PV C, from bottles and pipes) were compared with those of virgin pipe gra de PVC. Blends of recycled and pipe grade PVC were also prepared and c haracterized. It was found that the particle size and the restabilizat ion of the recycled PVC are the two main points to be considered for o btaining virgin/recycled PVC blends with uniform and good mechanical p roperties. In general, recycled PVC not only does not significantly re duce the modulus and tensile strength, but also improves the impact st rength and processing behavior of pipe grade virgin PVC. Only the ther momechanical resistance is slightly lowered. The latter points hold, o f course, only when the recycled PVC contains both reinforcing and mod ifier agents. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.