Material recycling of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) from wiring devices using mechanical recycling

Abstract

Plastics play a significant role in various sectors by offering advantages such as durability, cost-effectiveness, and lightweight properties. However, the extensive production and consumption of plastics create significant environmental threats, leading to high carbon footprints, global warming, and the accumulation of hard-to-recycle waste. This study explores innovative recycling technologies, focusing on the circular economy and zero waste strategies. In line with this scope, the study aims to conduct research on the reuse of coated plastic materials in production, specifically selecting ABS materials that are difficult to recycle. In the study, wiring devices were prepared using 70% raw ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) material and 30% recycled ABS (rABS) material, with this cycle being repeated three times. Experiments have been conducted to evaluate the suitability and performance of recycled ABS material for mass production. The results have revealed a slight decrease in tensile strength and impact strength compared to raw ABS material, yet significant mechanical performance has been maintained, thus demonstrating the viability of rABS in preserving product quality throughout successive recycling processes.