Polypropylene, PP, and ethylene propylene diene copolymer (EPDM) blends are widely used in automotive industry, mainly in bumpers. Their disposal should comply with the rules of the Solid Residue National Policy. In the present study, the effect of recycled PP addition on the mechanical and flow properties of these blends was evaluated using a 2n factorial design, with n = 3 factors: recycled PP content, extrusion temperature profile and screw speed. The parameters analyzed were: Young modulus, impact strength and melt flow index (MFI). The results showed that the increase in temperature tends to increase rigidity, impact strength and the flow of the final product. The increase in blend speed showed a significant influence on the impact strength of the material; whereas the increase in recycled PP content led to an increase of the mechanical properties analyzed, as well as of the flow index of the product.
Recycling; PP/EPDM blends; characterization
