Degree Type
Creative Component
Semester of Graduation
Fall 2018
Department
Food Science and Human Nutrition
First Major Professor
Keith Vorst
Degree(s)
Master of Science (MS)
Major(s)
Food Science and Technology
Abstract
With increased regulation of recycled materials, such as minimum content claims for bags and rigid containers in California, additional research was needed to understand how the recycled content affects the material properties and safety of these polymers. The objective of this research was to investigate how material properties changed as commodity recycled material is incorporated into commercial products, and if these changes can be modeled. Post-consumer recycled (PCR) linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) feedstocks were blended with virgin LLDPE to create 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% wt/wt PCR sample sets. The recycled feedstocks contained either exclusively calcium carbonate or a blend of calcium carbonate and carbon black pigments. The sample blends were extruded on a Wayne single screw extruder into film and sheet. Samples were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Extractions in nhexane and xylene were performed according to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21, B, Part 177.1520 for regulatory compliance with direct food contact applications. Results of this study suggest the potential for modeling of recycled content in pigmented polyethylene, particularly using ultraviolet spectroscopy, and that post-consumer recycled material may be safely incorporated into food contact applications.
Copyright Owner
The Authors
Copyright Year
2018
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Hurban, Emily; Curtzwiler, Greg; and Vorst, Keith, "Evaluation of pigmented post-consumer recycled polyethylene properties" (2018). Creative Components. 67.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/creativecomponents/67
