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Thermomechanical recyclability of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate in successive extrusion processes
Date
2025-08-23
Abstract
his study examines the effects of mechanical recycling on the properties of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) specimens. The ASA materials underwent up to four times hot melt extrusion, followed by injection molding to fabricate test specimens. Progressive darkening of the specimens with each recycling cycle indicated thermal degradation. However, density measurements revealed negligible variation among the recycled batches, ensuring a valid comparison of their mechanical properties. Tensile testing demonstrated that virgin ASA exhibited the lowest tensile strength (41.3 MPa), while the first recycled batch (1R ASA) achieved the highest strength (47.0 MPa), likely due to initial chain reorientation. Young's modulus increased across recycling cycles, rising from 851.0 MPa in virgin ASA to 898.6 MPa in 3R ASA. Flexural properties remained relatively stable across all batches, with flexural strength ranging from 42.7 to 44.3 MPa and flexural modulus varying between 1324.15 and 1335.95 MPa. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated an initial increase in glass transition temperature (T g) to 108.08°C in iASA, followed by a gradual decline to 106.44°C in 3R ASA, suggesting thermal degradation and reduced molecular integrity. Rheological analysis confirmed a solid-like elastic response at 250°C for all batches, with the initial ASA batch exhibiting the highest storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that the core chemical structure of ASA remained intact throughout the recycling process. These findings highlight the stability of ASA properties during repeated extrusion, reinforcing its suitability for fused filament fabrication and granule-based material extrusion, thereby contributing to sustainable material utilization and conservation.
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Description
Publisher
Wiley and Sons Ltd
Citation
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 142 (48), e57891
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Funding code
Funding Information
Sustainable Development Goals
External Link
Type
Article
Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/