Investigation of The Effects of Using Recycled Raw Materials on The Mechanical Properties of Pe Film Produced by Blown Film Extrusion Technology

Polyethylene (PE) film is a flexible material widely used in the packaging industry, usually produced by blown film extrusion technology. PE films are characterized by high flexibility, durability and transparency. However, in order to reduce production costs and increase environmental sustainability, the use of recycled raw materials is increasingly preferred. In the study, the product under investigation is used in the outer layer of baby/adult diapers and in the outer layers of sanitary napkins. Since it is produced to serve the hygiene sector, production needs to be monitored sensitively. For these reasons, post-industry (PIR) raw material was chosen instead of post-consumer (PCR) because it has less contamination risk and is closer to pure raw material in terms of content. In this study, an extrusion blown production line with 3-layer production was used. It was aimed to reduce production costs and increase environmental sustainability in PE film weighing 26 gsm with different ratios of recycled raw materials (0%-7%-13%-19%-19%-25%-31%-37%-37%-43%-49%-49%-55%-61%-67%-72%-77%-82%). The effects of these materials on the performance of the film were evaluated through tensile strength, elongation at break, elastic modulus, gloss, opacity, water vapor permeability tests. When the results of the tests carried out are examined; According to the evaluation, the unit weight of the PE film containing 0% recycle raw material was in the 26gsm band, while a 13-14% decrease was observed in the film containing 77% recycle raw material. The film produced with 82% recycle rat e could not be sampled due to the formation of holes. Less changes were observed in the thickness of the products. When tensile strength and elongation values were analyzed; elongation at break in MD and TD directions increased by 9%, tensile strength in MD direction decreased by 2%, tensile strength in TD direction increased by 8%. Elastic modulus value decreased by 11% in MD direction and 8% in TD direction. Gloss increased by 6~7%. Opacity value decreased by 10%. The water vapor permeability of the film is one of the main determining properties of air permeable (BR) and non-air permeable (NBR) PE based films. For this reason, when the water vapor permeability test was analyzed, the value decreased by 5.5%, i.e. the air permeability decreased and the value for NBR film was positively affected. Strategies for optimizing quality and performance while achieving cost benefits through the use of recycled materials are also discussed.