Avaliação da cinética de cristalização de polietileno: efeito das ramificações longas e da degradação termo oxidativa

Abstract

The problem of polymeric materials disposal has been made worrying due to the high decomposition time of these materials. Recycling of polymers is an important factor, since discarded materials may be returned return to the market in new forms and with different applications. This work aims to evaluate the linear low density metallocene polyethylene (mPELDB) samples crystallization process, submitted to multiple extrusions and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Two types of mPELBD were used: the conventional one, presenting only short branches and the "easy to process", which has short and long branches. The multiple extrusions process is a known method used to simulate the reprocessing of polymeric materials, evaluating the impact of thermo mechanical degradation on material. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation has the aims to simulate the material exposure to the weather, and thus, to evaluate the decomposition degree of material post consumption. The evaluations were performed through crystallization kinetics study of virgin polyethylene, multiprocessed and exposed to UV radiation. Polyethylene is a material widely used in flexible packaging, where weldability is an considered an important property. The polyethylene solidification in the weld is strongly dependent on crystallization behavior, so the focus of this work was to evaluate the long branches effect on the kinetics of isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization in polyethylene samples treated by capable simulating processes of primary and secondary recycling. This study was performed by Exploratory Differential Calorimetry (DSC). In isothermal crystallization kinetics the samples are subjected to various heating processes, followed by rapid cooling and isotherms of 109°C, 107°C, 105°C and 103°C. These results are analyzed based on Avrami's Theory. In non-isothermal crystallization kinetic the samples are heated at a given temperature, kept for 5 minutes and cooled at rates of 2.5; 5; 7.5 and 10°C/min. The modified Ozawa Theory by the Jeziorny Model and the Mo Theory are used for non-isothermal crystallization kinetics analysis.