Multiple mechanical recycling of a post-industrial flexible polypropylene and its nanocomposite with clay: Impact on properties for food packaging applications

Abstract

The development of polymer nanocomposites for food packaging has been increasing, but there is a lack of studies on their reciclability. The modification of the physical-mechanical properties and overall migration of post-industrial flexible recycled polypropylene (PIPP) and PIPP/compatibilizer/NL44P clay nanocomposite with the simulated repetitive mechanical recycling were comparatively studied. The structure, thermal properties, crystallinity and wáter vapor permeability of the nanocomposite were not significantly affected by multiple recycling. Among the mean finding, the melt Flow rate of the polymer was the parameter more affected by the reprocessing, especially in the nanocomposite