It seems that recycling of Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) used for insulation of high voltage cables is still difficult, What are the most important difficulties ? And is there any accepted techniques that have been so far adopted to solve this problem ?
Hello Youcef,
Molding with other thermoplastics or supercritical decrosslinking extrusion process are some techniques.
Please read more at
1. Recycling of Cross-linked Polyethylene Cable Waste via Particulate Infusion
Advances in Sustainable Manufacturing pp 233-239
Continuous supercritical decrosslinking extrusion process for recycling of crosslinked polyethylene waste
DOI: 10.1002/app.41442
Dear Amin Shavandi,
Thank you for sharing this rich paper, the results are very interesting. I wish there if dielectric proprieties were investigated too.
In fact, your answer helped me too to find this recent research : "Polypropylene Based Thermoplastic Polymers for Potential Recyclable HVDC Cable Insulation Applications"
DOI: 10.1109/TDEI.2017.006230
Do you think that Cross-linked Polyethylene (degraded) could be used after its degradation for recycling ?
The polymers, that have been recycled efficiently so far, are within the thermoplastics "i.e. they have chains that are not linked by primary bonds".
On the other hand, highly cross-linked polymers are usually categorized as thermosetting and these have covalently bonded chains that cannot be untangled when the polymer is heated. Excessive heating will lead to degradation of the polymer . In short, cross- linked polymers are extremely difficult to recycle.
When a technology (to recycle cross-linked polymers) is developed, the expected first target will be the tires of vehicles since many tons of them are thrown away each year escalating the problems of pollution. Insulating materials are on the list of recycling but they are not top priority.
Respectful Nizar Matar,
Many thanks to you for your clarifications. Indeed, if this topic is developed well, I think it will have a huge contribution in many industrial applications of polymers.
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