CONVERTING POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) WASTE TO CURABLE RESINS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute.

2 Military Technical College, Kobry EI-Kobba, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Different glycolyzed oligomers were prepared by depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, waste in presence of manganese acetate catalyst. Diethylene glycol (DG), triethylene glycol (TG), propylene glycol (PG) and mixtures of DG/TG and DG/PG (50/50 wt%) were used for glycolysis. The weight ratio of PET to the glycol system was 1 : 0.65. The hydroxyl value of the glycolyzed products before and after removing the free glycol were determined. The amount of free glycol in each case was analyzed. These glycolyzed products were reacted with maleic anhydride, (MA) to prepare a series of unsaturated polyesters (UP) having different molecular weights. These polyesters were dissolved in styrene monomer and their curing behavior was investigated and compared with the curing behavior of UP made from virgin materials. The effect of accelerator and initiator concentrations on the curing characteristics of the recycled resins was studied. The mechanical properties and the hardness of the cured resins were measured and correlated to their molecular structure. The synthesized UP are intended to be used for repairing and maintaining the damaged runways and workshops of military airports.

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