TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– To convert the post‐production polyethylene terephthalate (PET)‐containing fabrics waste into new value‐added polymeric materials using maleic anhydride grafted linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE‐g‐MAH) for improved toughness and to optimise the results of such a modification.Design/methodology/approach– For effective toughening, various blends were made of polyamide 6 (PA) and post‐production PET‐containing fabrics waste (PET) by incorporating different concentrations of maleic anhydride grafted, linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE‐g‐MAH). The reactions of LLDPE‐g‐MAH with blend components were studied by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, solubility behaviour of the products in formic acid and rheological measurements. Blends investigated were prepared in a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder and characterised by differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The static tensile property and impact strength of the blends were also measured.Findings– The modification of polyamide 6 and post‐production PET‐containing fabrics waste using LLDPE‐g‐MAH showed significant enhancement of impact and interfacial adhesion over the unmodified one. The modification caused a chemical linkage between LLDPE‐g‐MAH and blend components which led not only to forming PA‐co‐LLDPE‐g‐MAH‐co‐PET copolymers, but also to ensuring the intrinsically strong chemical bonds across LLDPE‐g‐MAH phase/PET phase/PA matrix interface, which was the main cause to the improved impact strength and interface adhesion. The optimum results were obtained at 10 per cent of LLDPE‐g‐MAH.Research limitations/implications– The post‐production PET‐containing fabrics waste used in the present context was defibrated before processing.Practical implications– The method developed provided a simple and practical solution to recycling and improving the toughness of post‐production PET‐containing fabrics waste.Originality/value– The method of recycling post‐production PET‐containing fabrics waste was novel and the new polymeric materials obtained could find numerous applications such as hybrid films, fibres and engineering polymers.
VL  - 35
IS  - 1
SN  - 0369-9420
DO  - 10.1108/03699420610637996
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/03699420610637996
AU  - Jeziórska R.
PY  - 2006
Y1  - 2006/01/01
TI  - Maleic anhydride grafted LLDPE modified polyamide and fabrics waste containing PET blends
T2  - Pigment & Resin Technology
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 3
EP  - 11
Y2  - 2024/04/18
ER  -