The thermal properties of discarded bumpers from standard grade automobiles
were compared to the corresponding data obtained from binary and ternary b
lends of virgin polyolefins of composition similar to the recycled product.
After grinding and separating by specific gravity, the recycled material w
as identified by DSC, DMTA, TGA and C-13 NMR. We found that it contains thr
ee polymers: polypropylyene (PP) as the major component, ethylene, propylen
e, diene methylene terpolymer (EPDM) and a small amount of high density pol
yethylene (HDPE).