Utilization of ABS from plastic waste through single-step reactive extrusion of LDPE/ABS blends of improved properties

Abstract

Chemical mixture (C-M) of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and electronic waste made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) have been prepared via one step reactive extrusion. The morphology of prepared crosslinked blends has been investigated. Single phase morphology has been found in C-M as opposed to two phase morphology in physical blend. The extent of crosslinking has been observed by determining gel content through solvent extraction. The structural changes have been confirmed by FTIR and solid state 13C NMR spectroscopy. The C-M have been tested using DSC and TGA and have found to be thermally stable. The chemical mixture has showed excellent mechanical properties like increment in Young's modulus, ultimate tensile strength. The flexural properties have also been investigated and C-M has found to have enhanced flexural modulus and flexural stress. For C-M to be used in practical heat exposure conditions heat distortion temperature tests have been performed and C-M has shown better properties than pure LDPE and physical blend.