Properties of Recycled ABS and HIPS Polymers From WEEE and Their Blends With Virgin ABS Prepared by 3D Printing and Compression Molding

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2025-01
• Main Authors: de Sousa Filho, Válmer Azevedo, de Azevedo, Ana Caroline Santana, de Oliveira, Rafaela, Bonfim, Ryan Lucas Pereira, da Silva Amaral, Anny Karine, da Cunha, Rafael Braga, Agrawal, Pankaj, Cunha, Carlos Thiago Candido, de Figueiredo Brito, Gustavo, de Mélo, Tomás Jeferson Alves
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.56797

The rapid increase in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) poses a significant environmental challenge. To address this issue, initiatives promoting circular economy principles have emerged, such as utilizing recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABSr) and high‐impact polystyrene (HIPSr) from WEEE. This study evaluated the properties of virgin ABS (ABSv)/ABSr and ABSv/HIPSr blends, with ABSr and HIPSr obtained from TV housing WEEE. The blend samples were prepared using filament extrusion, followed by either compression molding or 3D printing. ABSv exhibited a stronger shear‐thinning behavior than ABSr and HIPSr at low shear rates, indicating a higher content of butadiene rubber. The viscosities of the blends increased with higher ABSv content at low shear rates and approximated those of ABSv, ABSr, and HIPSr at high shear rates. Overall, compression‐molded blends demonstrated superior viscosities at low shear rates and higher impact strength compared to their 3D–printed counterparts.