Recycled polyethylene/polyethylene‐ethylene‐1‐octene‐maleic anhydride composite with improved mechanical properties

Owing to the thermomechanical degradation and impurities, the high‐value utilization of waste packaging plastics is still a great challenge. In this work, we confirmed that the major sort of impurity in waste polyethylene (PE) packing films is calcium carbonate. Consequently, PE/poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐octene)‐maleic anhydride (rPE/POE‐g‐MAH) and poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐octene) (rPE/POE) composites were recycled using a custom‐made three‐screw extruder, who can supply intensive shear flow during extrusion. The POE‐g‐MAH is detected to be filled between PE and inorganic impurities, and the compatibility is improved through chemical reactions. As mechanical test manifested, the rPE/POE‐g‐MAH blends present higher tensile strength and elongation at break than the rPE/POE blends at the same composition. The reason for such improved toughness of composite was explained in detail through the tensile fracture surface analysis. Rheology test further shows that POE‐g‐MAH improves the compatibility of matrix and impurities. In summary, this article provides a sustainable route for enhancing the poor ductility of recycled express bags in a simple and economical way, which could pave an avenue for high‐value utilization of waste packaging plastics. At the same time, it also provides new solutions for material selection in packaging, construction, agriculture and other fields. According to the types of impurities in rPE, we choose the appropriate toughening agent, which significantly improves the elongation at break of the recycled material. The results showed that the elongation at break of the recovered material increased nearly 20 times under the premise of decreasing the yield strength.