Processamento de polipropileno de garrafões de água mineral com argila montmorilonita objetivando aplicações técnicas

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of the processing conditions of the incorporation of polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-MAH) as a compatibilization agent and in montmorillonite organophilic clay (OMMT), on the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of recycled polypropylene (PPr) from 20L water bottles, aiming at technical applications of internal interest to the company's production. The materials were mixed in a double screw extruder and then a part of the material was injected and another part was processed in a single screw extruder with an annular die for blowing. The Melt Flow Index (MFI), uniaxial tensile test, Shore D hardness, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were performed on PPr, PPr with PP-MAH and PPr nanocomposites with OMMT. The MFI results showed a decrease in fluidity with an increase in clay concentration in the mixture, consequently an increase in viscosity. The mechanical behavior under Shore D tensile and hardness showed improvements in these properties. The AFM revealed the topography and morphology of the analyzed materials. Already through XRD it was possible to evaluate the interaction of clay in the polymer matrix with and without the help of PP-MAH. The reuse of PPr from water bottles, obtained from secondary recycling for the production of materials for internal technical applications, indicated the potential for its application and development of new products.