DSC CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES WITH RECYCLED PET-BASED POLAR WAX

In this study, hydroxyl-containing oligomers were synthesized from secondary PET (sPET) via alcoholysis with diethylene glycol (DEG) and further reacted with stearic acid (C₁₇H₃₅COOH) to produce a polar synthetic wax. This wax was used as a filler in polyethylene (PE) composites (PE grades I-1561 and F-0320). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed that the wax modified the crystallinity and thermal behavior of the materials, particularly enhancing the thermal stability of I-1561-based composites. The results demonstrate the potential of the synthesized wax as a high-value additive derived from recycled materials. The data suggest that the synthesized polar wax is not merely a recycled byproduct but serves as a functional, value-added processing aid with broad industrial potential.