Study on Recycled Polyester/Nylon/Spandex Modified by LDPE and LLDPE

Abstract

To enhance the utilization value of recycled materials like polyester, nylon, spandex, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), recycled polyester, nylon, and spandex were employed as raw materials. Firstly, the recycled polyester, nylon, and spandex were pretreated in pellet form to obtain pretreated mixed materials. Secondly, these pretreated materials were blended with other materials such as LDPE and LLDPE. Finally, the composite materials were fabricated through extrusion and injection molding. The mechanical properties of LDPE and LLDPE composites modified with recycled polyester, nylon, and spandex were investigated by comparing their respective mechanical properties. The fracture surface microstructure of the composite materials was characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The results are as follows: (a) As the amount of polyester/nylon/spandex-blended chemical fibers increased after pellet pretreatment, the maximum tensile strength, bending strength, and bending modulus of LDPE composites reached 22.16, 32.57, and 1252.8 MPa, respectively. Similarly, for LLDPE composites, the respective maxima were 22.35, 31.03, and 1259.2 MPa. (b) As the content of polyester/nylon/spandex hybrid fibers increased after mass pretreatment, the maximum impact strength and fracture elongation of the LDPE composite were 49.15 kJ/m² and 19.29%, respectively. For LLDPE composite, the respective maxima were 31.64 kJ/m² and 312.1%.