depolymerization of HDPE

kthouz

Hello everybody. Am majoring in applied phyisics and i just want make a small research on depolymeriztion of high density polyethylene in matter of plastic of recycling methods. i have been reading text about but all i found was about PET (polyethylene terephtalate). Does any one know anything concernig HDPE. actually i want any method of recycling that does not need combustion of plastics.
Thanks for your collaboration

alxm

I'm not sure PE can be depolymerized simply, since it consists entirely of identical carbonyl bonds, making it near-impossible to 'select' every second carbonyl bond for breaking. You could look into catalytic cracking methods.

I'm not sure why you'd need to though, as a recycling method. It's a thermoplastic, so you can melt and re-mold it. (or use solvents)

kthouz

Thank you!