Application of Physical Methods for the Detection of a Thermally Degraded Recycled Material in Plastic Parts Made of Polypropylene Copolymer

Abstract

The paper deals with the possibility of applying physical methods to detect a thermally degraded recycled material in plastic parts made of polypropylene. Standard methods of evaluating the mechanical properties of the material under static tensile and bending stress, as well as under dynamic impact stress using the Charpy method, were used for the experimental measurements. The rheological properties of materials were monitored using a method involving measuring the melt flow index, while their thermal properties and oxidative stability were monitored using differential scanning calorimetry. Based on the methods used, it can be clearly stated that the most suitable technique for detecting thermally degraded recycled material in polypropylene is the method involving establishing the melt flow index. The bending test seems to be the most suitable method for detecting recycled material by measuring the material’s mechanical properties. Similarly to the melt volume flow rate (MVR) method, it was possible to unambiguously detect the presence of even a small amount of recycled material in the whole from measuring the material’s bending properties. It is clear from the results that in the short term, there may be no change in the useful properties of the parts, but in the long term the presence of degraded recycled material will have adverse consequences on their lifespan.