Determination of polyethylene content in mixed polyethylene/polypropylene composites to modulate their melt flux and impact index properties

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Recycling of polymer composites is an important industrial process that has substantial impact on the**environment and public health. The matrix materials composed of recycled polymers are reclaimed from**municipal solid wastes and immobilizing industrial solid wastes. Polymer Recycle Inc., a world leader in the**design and manufacture of recycled polymers, produces reduced-size plastics as the finished products. The**company is currently searching for improvements in the quality of their recycled plastics. In particular, to**produce recycled materials with higher technical qualities, quantitative measurement of polyethylene (PE)**content in their PE/polypropylene composites is of substantial importance for the company. In this Engage**project, we will first develop a new protocol for the quantitative determination of PE content in such**composites. We will then investigate the melt flow index of these materials as a function of their PE content. In**fact, PE content of these composites has significant impact on their resulting melt flow index values which, in**turn, is a good indication of their rheological and physiochemical properties. Finally, the resulting properties of**the products will be investigated using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron**spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Thus, by developing a method to determine the PE content**of feed stock composites, relating them to their corresponding melt flow index values, and evaluating the**resulting physiochemical properties of the products, we aim to assist Polymer Recycle Inc. to produce recycled**polymeric products with modulated, high technical quality properties.