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Insights into PU/EVA Blends Produced Using Industrial Residues Towards Eco-efficient Materials

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Abstract

Aiming at minimizing the issues associated with the disposal of polymers, in this study, elastomeric materials derived from 100% recycled feedstocks were produced. Residues of polyurethane (PU) foams (from 0 to 100%) were blended with residues of ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) derived from the shoe-soles industry (from 0 to 100%) to produce films by hot compression. The experimental values obtained by the characterization of the blends were compared with the predicted values derived from the rule of mixtures. Despite of the two-phase morphology observed, the high correlation between the experimental and predicted values suggest that phase segregation did not have a significant effect on the properties of the blends. Voids were also observed on the PU derived materials, due to the source of PU (foams), which reduced their density and increased the water absorption. Yet, this did not jeopardize the mechanical performance of the ensuing materials. In addition, higher amounts of PU resulted in stiffer materials, while higher amounts of EVA induced higher thermal stability. From the results, it was demonstrated that the PU/EVA blends, produced from 100% recycled feedstock, presented suitable properties to be used in shoe-soles applications.

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Acknowledgements

This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020 & UIDP/50011/2020, financed by national funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology/MCTES and by ERDF Funds through Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme – COMPETE 2020 in the frame of the project FlexiRecover – POCI-01-0247-FEDER-003369.

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  1. CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro – Campus Universitário Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    Nuno Gama, B. Godinho & Ana Barros-Timmons

  2. CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials and Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão de Águeda - Rua Comandante Pinho e Freitas, no 28, 3750-127, Águeda, Portugal

    Artur Ferreira

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  1. Nuno Gama
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Correspondence to Nuno Gama.

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10924_2021_2289_MOESM1_ESM.docx

Supplementary file Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 13C solid-state Cross Polarization—Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C CPMAS NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal conductivity discussion can be found in supporting information. (DOCX 7645 kb)

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Gama, N., Godinho, B., Barros-Timmons, A. et al. Insights into PU/EVA Blends Produced Using Industrial Residues Towards Eco-efficient Materials. J Polym Environ 30, 1451–1461 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-021-02289-x

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