Study on the Rheological, Thermal, Mechanical, and Optical Properties of LDPE/LLDPE Blown Films Containing Recycled LDPE/LLDPE Pellets For Circular Economy

Abstract

Abstract Blown film samples of 70/30 w/w low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) are prepared and recycled by shredding, washing, and extrusion to produce recycled pellets and then are blended with virgin LDPE and LLDPE at various loadings and undergo the process of blow molding to form blown films with intrinsic LDPE/LLDPE composition of 70/30 w/w. Differential scanning calorimetry results show a decrease in the melting and crystallization temperatures along with crystallinity percentage due to the presence of crosslinks. The presence of crosslink networks is confirmed by the complex viscosity curve, storage and loss modulus curves, and the interception point of the storage and loss modulus curves. Cole-Cole, Han, and Van Gurp Palman curves confirm miscibility in all samples at all compositions. Stress and strain at yield and break of the samples display an increase due to the affirmative effect of the crosslinks. Light refraction caused by the presence of the crosslinks causes an increase and decrease in the haze and gloss of the films, respectively.