Background

More than 400 million tons of plastic materials are used worldwide every year. The reason for the popularity of plastic materials is that they enable manufacturing of lightweight and cost-efficient products. The large use of plastic materials leads, unfortunately, to some problems, for example plastic waste in nature. To minimize the problems associated with plastic materials, and enable a continued large use of plastic materials, there is today a lot of focus on recycling of plastic materials. Mechanical recycling is the most common technique, since it is both cost- and energy-efficient. However, mechanical recycling normally results in degradation of the plastic material, and thereby reduced mechanical strength of the plastic material and larger spread in processing properties.

Project Objective

Investigate how mechanical recycling affects some common plastic materials. Compile guidelines for robust injection moulding of recycled thermoplastic materials.

Method

The project will start with a literature survey about mechanical recycling of thermoplastic materials. Based on results from the literature study, test objects based on recycled materials will be manufactured and examined. The spread in flow characteristics for the plastic melt will be especially studied. Finally, recommendations and guidelines for robust injection moulding of thermoplastic parts will be put together.

The thesis project is recommended for one or two students with background in either organic chemistry, material science, mechanics or technical design.

The project will be carried out in collaboration with Euroform in Tranås. Scania will also take active part in the project, supplying information about requirements and evaluating test objects.

Available resources

Injection moulding machines, moulds, spectrophotometer, gloss meter, microscopes, tensile testing machine, impact tester, etc. The thesis project will be a part of SuPRA (Sustainable Polymer Research Arena), and resources at Husqvarna, Polymertekniska Institutet (PTI), Scania and Thule will therefore be available.

Contact

If you are interested in this project and would like to know more, contact Anders Sjögren (anders@ad-manus.se) or Elin Olander (elin.olander@design.lth.se).​​​​​​​

Application

Apply by December 31, 2024. The project will be carried out in January to June 2025.