Temperature dependence of kinetic friction: A handle for plastics sortation?

Sortation is a crucial step in the mechanical recycling of post‐consumer plastics (PCR) whereby properties such as density or spectral signature are used to separate plastics. However, it is difficult to sort polyolefin flakes at high throughput by these properties. We ask whether the frictional properties of plastics as a function of temperature may be used as an alternate sorting property. However, fundamental studies of friction at temperatures near their melting points are limited. Here we measure the temperature dependence of kinetic friction for three common polyolefins (high and low‐density polyethylene and polypropylene) as well as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), focusing on the softening/melting regime. The results are augmented by differential scanning calorimetry and temperature‐dependence measurements of both dynamic modulus and probe tack. For the polyolefins, we find strong increases in the coefficients of kinetic friction during temperature ramps in the melting/softening regime. For the PET, we report a notable peak in the kinetic friction which we associate with the glass transition and cold‐crystallization. We discuss the enhanced friction in the context of rubber friction, which exhibits comparable coefficients of kinetic frictions. Highlights Significant upturn in kinetic friction coefficient of polyolefins near melting point Strong peak in kinetic friction coefficient of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) above glass transition Correlation of upturns with thermal and mechanical properties and tack High friction state is analogous to rubber friction High friction state is a possible mechanism for plastics sortation. Thermoplastics display significant enhancements in their coefficient of friction as a function of temperature based on their melting points or glass transition temperatures. This property can possibly be used for plastics sortation.