Meaning
Material impurities found in reclaimed plastics include non-polymer residues that interfere with subsequent processing and final properties. post consumer resin contaminants include organic leftovers, adhesives or incompatible polymer fragments that cause odor and physical defects in molded parts, and they are defined as any substance not present in the original virgin resin.
Volatile Substance
Small molecules trapped in the recycled plastic can vaporize during the injection process. These gases create silver streaks on the part surface or leave a persistent smell in the finished product. Extensive washing and degassing during the recycling process are required to reduce these volatile levels.
Processing Defect
Solid particles like metal dust or paper fibers clog the melt filters in an extruder. If these impurities pass into the mold, they create weak spots where the part can crack under stress. These contaminants also act as nucleating agents, which can change the way the polymer shrinks as it cools.
Performance Variation
The chemical makeup of a recycled batch changes depending on the source of the waste. High levels of contamination reduce the elongation and impact strength of the plastic. This variability makes it difficult for a molder to maintain consistent quality across different production lots.
