Structural changes and mechanical performance of recycled poly(vinyl chloride) bottles exposed to ultraviolet light at 313 nm

Abstract

AbstractThe structural changes and mechanical performance of virgin poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) bottle (VB) compounds blended with postconsumer PVC bottles collected from a specified factory (RB‐F) and houses (RB‐H), were examined before and after UV irradiation at 313‐nm UV wavelength for different periods of time up to 28 days. The results indicated that, when exposed to UV light, the RB‐F/VB blends containing greater conjugated double bonds with higher yellowness index appeared to exhibit better mechanical performance than that of the RB‐H/VB blends. It was found that the amount of conjugated double bonds was not a linear function of the discoloration level of PVC compounds. Tensile strength of the VB compounds was not affected when incorporated with RB‐F recyclate, but progressively decreased with increasing RB‐H recyclate. An optimum concentration for RB recyclates to be added into the virgin compound was recommended for obtaining a maximum impact strength. Both tensile and impact strengths decreased with increasing UV exposure time, a severe degradation being obvious after a UV exposure time of 21 days. Hardness was not affected significantly by the addition of PVC recyclate, but increased with increasing UV exposure time. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 84–94, 2004