Quantitative Effects of Ecuadorian Silicon-Aluminum Materials on the Degradation Rate and Mechanical Strength Enhancement of Recycled Polyethylene

Abstract

This study presents an innovation in the use of a native Ecuadorian nanoporous material known as allophane for the reprocessing of greenhouse plastics to obtain a functional polymer that allows for reuse, improving its mechanical properties and/or increasing its lifespan. By achieving this objective, three problems are simultaneously addressed: 1) the need to recycle used plastics in a prominent Ecuadorian flower company committed to environmental preservation, 2) the scientific viability work carried out by the Central University of Ecuador, and 3) the industrial application of recycled plastics and pellet production. Blown film extrusion was used to prepare low-density polyethylene sheets with different amounts of Ecuadorian allophane microparticles (30±5 micrometers) (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% by weight). Mechanical property studies were conducted following ASTM D 882 standards, and thermal stability was characterized using thermogravimetry. The results showed an increase in elongation at break and Young's modulus percentages as the concentration of the additive increased, demonstrating its physical-chemical compatibility. Additionally, the effect on the polymer’s thermal degradation was analyzed, resulting in a directly proportional relationship between activation energy and the concentration of the material. Finally, these results demonstrate that allophane as an additive enhances the mechanical properties of recycled low-density polyethylene (12-36%) and accelerates its thermal degradation process, reducing environmental impact.