The influence of polyethylene in the mechanical recycling of polyethylene terephtalate

This paper studies the mechanical recycling process of PET derived from waste bottles made by injection-blowing. The effects of the presence of PE and its rheological behavior versus PET were analyzed. A series of proposed blends were injected in different molds and significant process parameters were evaluated to determine the final properties. Once the injected pieces were obtained, a morphological study using SEM and AFM was carried out, and the mechanical and thermal properties of the blends were analyzed to determine the optimum proportion of PE in PET waste, so that the recycling process can be performed in the easiest way possible without diminishing the final properties. Finally, the study questions to what extent it is necessary to eliminate PE content from waste PET.