Recycled HIPS PP Alloy via In-Situ Compatibilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aged waste high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polypropylene (PP) materials exhibit reduced performance due to molecular chain breakage and phase structure changes, limiting their application range, while their alloying requires improved compatibility and chain extension to achieve balanced and high-value properties.

Innovation Solution

A recycled HIPS/PP alloy material is prepared through in-situ compatibilization and chain extension using waste HIPS and PP, with chemical modifiers like POE, alkylation reaction catalyst, co-catalyst, and macromolecular chain extender in a segmented mode, facilitating grafting and chain extension reactions to enhance compatibility and mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If waste HIPS and waste PP are directly alloyed without modification, then the processing cost is reduced due to heavy use of waste materials, but the compatibility between the two matrix materials is poor and the comprehensive performances are reduced due to aging and molecular chain breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse of waste materialsVSAvoidcompatibility and performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a compatibilizer as an intermediary substance to mediate between the incompatible waste HIPS and waste PP matrix materials. The compatibilizer contains reactive groups that can interact with both polymers, reducing interfacial tension and improving adhesion between the two phases, thereby enhancing the overall compatibility and performance of the recycled alloy while maintaining high waste material content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies chemical modification techniques to change the parameters of the waste polymers. Through reactions such as grafting and chain extension, the molecular structure, weight average molecular weight, and chemical reactivity of the waste HIPS and PP are altered. These parameter changes restore chain continuity, reduce the effects of aging, and improve the compatibility between the two materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If chemical modifiers are added to improve compatibility and chain extension, then the comprehensive performances are enhanced, but the processing complexity increases due to multiple reaction steps and catalyst requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive performanceVSAvoidprocessing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple modification functions into a single integrated processing step. The compatibilizer and chain extender are incorporated together during the extrusion process, allowing simultaneous improvement of compatibility and molecular weight. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate processing steps and simplifies the overall manufacturing process while achieving enhanced comprehensive performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If in-situ chain extension is performed to repair broken chains, then the mechanical properties are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to controlled reaction conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidreaction condition control
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-service mechanisms where the waste polymers themselves provide the necessary reactive groups for chain extension. The hydroxyl and carboxyl groups present in the aged waste materials are utilized directly without requiring additional functionalization steps. This self-service approach reduces the stringency of external condition control while still achieving effective chain repair and mechanical property improvement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240317986A1Recycled material based on in-situ compatibilization and chain extension and preparation method therefor
Publication Date: 2024.09.26 CHINA NAT ELECTRIC APP RES INST

AI summary

A recycled material based on in-situ compatibilization and chain extension is mainly prepared from the following raw materials in parts by mass: 30-70 parts of waste HIPS, 30-70 parts of waste PP, 2-6 parts of POE, 0.1-0.4 part of an alkylation reaction catalyst, 0.1-0.3 part of a co-catalyst, and 2-8 parts of a macromolecular chain extender. Further, a preparation method for the recycled material based on in-situ compatibilization and chain extension is provided.