Mechanical Properties of Chemically Treated Sawdust-Reinforced Recycled Polyethylene Composites
(11124–11129) Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 50 #19 (2011)
Islam and Islam of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, India, prepared cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-treated sawdust-reinforced recycled polyethylene (RPE) composites by injection molding.  The tensile strength (TS) values of the CTAB-treated composites were found to be much higher than those of the untreated ones. The Young’s modulus (YM), flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), and hardness values were also found to be improved for the treated sawdust–RPE composites compared to those of the untreated ones. The tensile fracture surface morphological features of treated sawdust–RPE composites observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed less microvoids and fiber agglomerates, indicating that better fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion has occurred upon treatment of the sawdust with CTAB. Water absorption (%) values were found to increase with increases in fiber content in the composite.  However, treated sawdust–RPE composites showed lower water uptake capacity compared to those prepared from untreated sawdust. From the IR spectra of raw and treated sawdust together with water absorption behavior of the composite specimens, it appeared that surface treatment with CTAB significantly reduced the hydrophilic nature of sawdust, resulting in improved fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion.  (RDC 10/11/2011)

Effect of Electron Beam Irradiation on the Mechanical, Thermal, and Dynamic Mechanical Behavior of Waste Polyethylene - Short Glass Fiber Composites
(459-476) Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials 24 #4 (2011)
Abstract
Satapathy, Nando and Nag of the Indian Institute of Technology, India, studied  the effect of electron beam irradiation on the physico-mechanical, thermal, and dynamic properties of short glass fiber (GF)-reinforced waste polyethylene (WPE), virgin high density polyethylene (HDPE), and blends of WPE/HDPE in the ratio 50 : 50 was studied.  The results given in this article show that the tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness increased when the composites were subjected to electron beam irradiation.  The elongation at break does not undergo any change.  (RDC 7/14/2011)

Molecular Modification and Compatibilization of Collected Polyethylene
(335-340) Journal of Polymers and the Environment 19 #2 (2011)
Sjöqvist and Boldizar of Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, used EPDM as a compatibilizer for recycled PE/PP blends.  (RDC 6/17/2011)

Comparative Study of Asphalts Modified by Packaging Waste EPS and Waste PE
(220 – 224) Polymer - Plastics Technology and Engineering 50 #2 (2011)
Fang et al Xi'an University of Technology, China showed that the high-temperature property and anti-shearing deformation capacity of the waste PE modified asphalt were both better than that of EPS.  However, the ductility of the waste EPS modified asphalt got a larger improvement than the one made by PE. The main reasons of these differences are the aromatic composition, non-polarity of EPS and the large range of viscoelasticity, big molecular and good elongation of PE in modified asphalt system.  (RDC 2/3/2011)

Comparative Study of Asphalts Modified by Packaging Waste EPS and Waste PE
(220 – 224) Polymer - Plastics Technology and Engineering 50 #2 (2011)
Fang et al Xi'an University of Technology, China showed that the high-temperature property and anti-shearing deformation capacity of the waste PE modified asphalt were both better than that of EPS.  However, the ductility of the waste EPS modified asphalt got a larger improvement than the one made by PE. The main reasons of these differences are the aromatic composition, non-polarity of EPS and the large range of viscoelasticity, big molecular and good elongation of PE in modified asphalt system.  (RDC 2/3/2011)

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Electron Beam Irradiated Waste Polyethylene and its Blends with Virgin High Density and Low Density Polyethylene
(33-48) Journal of Elastomers and Plastics 43 #1 (2010)
Abstract
Satapathy et al of the Indian Institute of Technology, India irradiation increased relaxation temperatures as well as peak broadening.  The storage modulus and loss modulus of the blends increase, while that of tan δ decreases.  (RDC 1/12/2011).