Mechanical recycling of post-used HDPE crates using the restabilization technique. II: Influence of artificial weathering

Abstract

Artificial weathering was applied for about 8000 h to evaluate the light stability of postconsumer high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material recycled from bottle crates. For recycling the remelting-restabilization technique was applied. To study the effect of the restabilization, the tensile impact strength was monitored during the artificial weathering exposure. The data were compared with microphotographs of the specimens' surface. Repigmentation was used to evaluate the role of new pigments on the final performance of the recycled material. The repigmented grades were further studied by colorimetric determinations of the color difference (ΔE) during artificial weathering. The results illustrate that the restabilization is mandatory for improving the light stability of the postconsumer crate material, ensuring its re-use in the original application. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 1118–1127, 2000