Synergistic Effects of Reverse Kneading Blocks and Compatibilizers in a Twin‐Screw Extruder: Boosting Dispersion and Physical Properties of Recycled <scp>PP/PET</scp>

ABSTRACT Recycled polypropylene (PP)/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) blends often exhibit poor phase compatibility and suboptimal mechanical properties due to their inherent immiscibility. This study investigates the synergistic effects of reverse kneading blocks (RRK3) and chemical compatibilizers on filler dispersion, interfacial adhesion, and the tensile strength of extruded PP/PET blends. Using Ludovic simulation, the screw profiles were optimized to balance specific mechanical energy (SME: 493.2–637.9 kWh/t) and residence time distribution (RTD: 655.9–673.6 s). The blends, containing 5 wt% Cloisite 20A organoclay and 3 wt% PP‐g‐MAH, were characterized through SEM, TEM, tensile testing, and rheological analysis. The results revealed that RRK3 blocks increased local shear rates by up to 35% (reaching 1714.15 s −1 ), effectively reducing r‐PET domain sizes from 16.45 ± 3.88 μm to a minimum of 1.54 ± 0.23 μm. Rheological analysis showed that the storage modulus (G′) of the RRK3‐processed hybrid nanocomposite exhibited a 120% increase compared to the RK4‐processed blend, reflecting superior filler exfoliation and a robust internal network. Consequently, the tensile strength nearly doubled, increasing from 2.73 ± 0.10 to 7.11 ± 0.37 N/mm 2 ( p &lt; 0.05). This scalable screw design and compatibilization strategy provide a robust pathway for producing high‐performance materials from recycled plastic blends, making them highly suitable for demanding industrial applications.

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Publication Details

Journal
Polymers for Advanced Technologies
Published
2026-04-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.70589
Primary Topic
Polymer crystallization and properties
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Synergistic Effects of Reverse Kneading Blocks and Compatibilizers in a Twin‐Screw Extruder: Boosting Dispersion and Physical Properties of Recycled PP/PET

Yujin Oh, Dohyeong Kim, Jaseung Koo, Youngha Kang
Polymers for Advanced Technologies
Polymer crystallization and properties
article

Synergistic Effects of Reverse Kneading Blocks and Compatibilizers in a Twin‐Screw Extruder: Boosting Dispersion and Physical Properties of Recycled PP/PET

Yujin Oh, Dohyeong Kim, Jaseung Koo, Youngha Kang
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Recycled polypropylene (PP)/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) blends often exhibit poor phase compatibility and suboptimal mechanical properties due to their inherent immiscibility. This study investigates the synergistic effects of reverse kneading blocks (RRK3) and chemical compatibilizers on filler dispersion, interfacial adhesion, and the tensile strength of extruded PP/PET blends. Using Ludovic simulation, the screw profiles were optimized to balance specific mechanical energy (SME: 493.2–637.9 kWh/t) and residence time distribution (RTD: 655.9–673.6 s). The blends, containing 5 wt% Cloisite 20A organoclay and 3 wt% PP‐g‐MAH, were characterized through SEM, TEM, tensile testing, and rheological analysis. The results revealed that RRK3 blocks increased local shear rates by up to 35% (reaching 1714.15 s −1 ), effectively reducing r‐PET domain sizes from 16.45 ± 3.88 μm to a minimum of 1.54 ± 0.23 μm. Rheological analysis showed that the storage modulus (G′) of the RRK3‐processed hybrid nanocomposite exhibited a 120% increase compared to the RK4‐processed blend, reflecting superior filler exfoliation and a robust internal network. Consequently, the tensile strength nearly doubled, increasing from 2.73 ± 0.10 to 7.11 ± 0.37 N/mm 2 ( p &lt; 0.05). This scalable screw design and compatibilization strategy provide a robust pathway for producing high‐performance materials from recycled plastic blends, making them highly suitable for demanding industrial applications.

Polymers for Advanced TechnologiesVol. 37(4)
Chungnam National University (KR)
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Polymer crystallization and properties
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