Processing and mechanical properties of recycled PVC and of homopolymer blends with virgin PVC

Mechanical and processing properties of recycled polyvinylchloride (PVC, from bottles and pipes) were compared with those of virgin pipe grade PVC. Blends of recycled and pipe grade PVC were also prepared and characterized. It was found that the particle size and the restabilization of the recycled PVC are the two main points to be considered for obtaining virgin/recycled PVC blends with uniform and good mechanical properties. In general, recycled PVC not only does not significantly reduce the modulus and tensile strength, but also improves the impact strength and processing behavior of pipe grade virgin PVC. Only the thermomechanical resistance is slightly lowered. The latter points hold, …