The cathode ray tube (CRT) technology-used in televisions and monitors for more than 60 years-has generated a lot of waste, now that is has been replaced by newer technologies such as plasma, liquid crystal display (LCD), and light-emitting diodes (LED). There are no official statistics on the amount of waste generated in Brazil; however, for some countries, such as the United States, China, and Taiwan, the estimated annual disposal of televisions and monitors is 3.2 million, 5 million, and 1 million, respectively. Monitors mainly contain polymers, metals, and ceramics, some of which may be hazardous. This work is focused on characterization and recycling of polymeric frames of CRT monitors. Monitors, damaged and obsolete, were collected and separated by brand, comminuted, and then injected to obtain the samples to be used in mechanical tests. The results pointed to the same polymeric material being used, viz. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), regardless of the brand. The mechanical properties varied across different brands, probably because of different compositions. This variation was also observed in the analysis of the fracture surface of the samples after the tensile test. On the basis of the results, it can be concluded that the recycled material showed satisfactory mechanical performance, enabling recycling technically.
CRT monitors; mechanical recycling; polymer frame
