Reaproveitamento das fibras de poliéster provenientes de plataformas offshore descomissionadas através de misturas com matriz de polietileno proveniente de embalagens plásticas pós-consumo

Abstract

The decommissioning of offshore platforms of the Floating, Production, Sorage and Offloading (FPSO) type is a process that require extensive technical knowlegde in a variety of technical endeavors. The ropes of the mooring systems of FPSO platforms, made of high-tenacity polyester fibers based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), normally sold as scrap, have high added value and should not be discarded in the same way as any other scrap. Given this scenario, the objective of this study was to evalute the potential for obtaining new materials from the reuse of polyester fibers (PET) from post-industrial mooring ropes of offshore platforms through mixtures with post-consumer polyethylene (PE) waste from plastic packaging. Polymer blends are gaining importance due to the possibility of creating new products with special Properties. The characterization of the materials was performed through mechanical, thermal and rheological analyses and the parameters used in the processing of these materials were defined. The PE/PET blends were melt-processed in a twin-screw extruder with 5%, 10% and 15% (wt. %) of PET fibers and under process conditions established to maintain the PET in the fiber form, i.e., without the occurrence of polymer melting. A compatibilizing agente was added to the formulations (1.5 and 3%, wt. %), polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PE-g-AM), to improve the interaction between the PE/PET phases. The results indicated the potential for using thesystems in new applications. Tensile strength tests showed that, with the increase in the proportion of fibers in the mixture, the rigidity of the system increased. And the best mechanical results were presented by the mixture with the highest fiber content and compatibilizing agent.