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A Review on the Formulation and Rupture Properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate in a Mechanical Recycling Context
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This review examines polyethylene terephthalate's structural and mechanical properties before and after mechanical recycling, detailing how degradation mechanisms during reprocessing affect the quality of the final product. The authors identify key knowledge gaps around structural modifications caused by processing and highlight widely used reinforcement techniques along with their limitations for industrial PET recycling.
The environmental stress caused by climate change has provided an impetus to the search for greener solutions. A striking example of this is plastic pollution. One of the main difficulties in finding alternatives is maintaining an ecological balance along with economic viability. Other than reducing the consumption of plastics, recycling is one useful approach. In this context, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is in the spotlight. This saturated polyester with unique properties is one of the most used plastics, and its use is increasing year by year. Plus, it is the most recycled polymer in the world. Among different recycling methods used today, the well-established equipment for mechanical recycling is the most efficient process and has a lower carbon footprint. However, despite the effort spent on recycling PET and the extensive number of published papers on this matter, many challenges still restrain its industrial development. One of the reasons for this is a lack of understanding of the structural modifications caused by processing and the effect on the properties of the final product. This Review presents an overview of PET’s intrinsic properties, before and after mechanical recycling. By focusing on the mechanical process, the different degradation mechanisms and their effects are described. Widely used reinforcement techniques are explained along with their possible drawbacks. A better view of what is yet to be understood might guide new solutions for PET’s processing and reuse.
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Effect of Mechanical Recycling on Structural Modification and Mechanical Behavior of PET
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Successive mechanical recycling cycles of PET plastic were shown to cause chain scission and reduce molecular weight while maintaining stable tensile mechanical properties with over 400% elongation. The findings suggest that structural modifications from recycling affect processing characteristics more than final product performance, offering guidance for optimizing recycled PET applications.
Molecular and material property variations during the ideal degradation and mechanical recycling of PET
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This review analyzes how repeated mechanical recycling of PET degrades its molecular and material properties—such as molecular weight, viscosity, and crystallinity—across multiple cycles. Understanding these interconnected changes is essential for assessing the feasibility and limits of PET mechanical recycling in a circular economy.
Assessment of the Mechanical Properties of Pet Polymer Material from Recovered Plastic Bottles
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The mechanical properties of PET plastic material recovered from post-consumer packaging waste were assessed to evaluate its suitability for reuse in new applications. The study examines whether recovered PET retains sufficient strength and quality for circular economy applications, addressing the challenge of single-use plastic waste.
Plastic recycling: Challenges and opportunities
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This review surveys mechanical, chemical, and energy recovery methods for plastic waste recycling, examining challenges such as polymer degradation across cycles, the role of fillers, and advanced chemical techniques like pyrolysis and gasification. It provides practical guidance on the current state and future directions of plastic recycling across major polymer types including PET, HDPE, PP, and PS.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): An Overview on Production, Consumption, and Recycling
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This review covers the production, properties, and recycling pathways of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the world's most widely used thermoplastic polymer, highlighting its versatility in food packaging and fibers and the importance of efficient recycling to manage growing PET waste streams.
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