The present invention relates to a process for stabilising recycled plastic materials containing styrene or α-methylstyrene occurring mainly in the domestic, commercial or industrial sectors and in useful material collections, and to the stabiliser mixtures useful therefor.

The recycling of waste materials is a problem of increasing importance for ecological reasons. The recycling of paper, textiles, glass and metals is already being carried out on a large scale, whether through separate collection or by sorting waste. The reuse of waste plastics is basically also possible, provided the waste consists mainly of thermoplastic polymers. The styrene-containing waste plastics occurring in the domestic, commercial or industrial sector, or waste plastics or scrap material originating from collections or from obligatory returnables in specific sectors of industry, as for example in the automotive, electrical and packaging industries, may be styrene homopolymers such as PS, CPS or EPS, as well as copolymers such as IPS, HIPS, SBS, SB, SEBS, SIS, ABS, ASA, SAN and MBS or mixtures thereof.

Hitherto it has been possible to use plastic recyclates only for purposes for which relatively low demands are made of the material properties, typically for use as fillers or for utilities in which thick-walled parts can be used, for example sound-insulating walls.

Uniform recycled waste plastics may occur as production waste (punch waste, shavings) or in separately recovered waste materials (e.g. EPS collections). The difficulty of finding suitable stabilisers resides here especially in the nature of the degradation that has occurred over an extended period of time or also that may be caused by brief mechanical stress as during processing (agglomeration, compacting).

It has now been found that recycled styrene-containing plastics can be stabilised against theimo-oxidative degradation in simple and economic manner with a mixture of per se known stabilisers and hence reprocessed to useful products.

Specifically, the invention relates to a process for stabilising recycled styrene-containing plastic materials that can be recovered from commercial and industrial waste, which process comprises incorporating in said plastic materials 0.01 to 10 % by weight of a mixture of a) at least one sterically hindered phenol and b) at least one inorganic compound selected from the series of the metal oxides, metal hydroxides or metal carbonates.

A preferred weight ratio of a:b is from 20:1 to 1:20, more particularly from 10:1 to 1:10 and, most preferably, from 1:1 to 1:5.

The styrene-containing plastics to be stabilised are conveniently punch wastes from foamed PS (packing material) or ABS waste from casings (electrical/electronic) and automotive utilities, flame-proofed polystyrenes, blends and mixtures with virgin material. Illustrative examples of suitable polystyrene-containing blends are PC/ABS, PBT/ABS or PBT/AS A. Suitable plastics to be stabilized have a styrene content of more than 5 % by weight, preferably more than 10 % by weight.

It is preferred to incorporate 0.01 to 5 % by weight, most preferably 0.02 to 2 % by weight, of the mixture of a and b in the recyclate.

The sterically hindered phenols used as component a) are known .stabilisers for protecting plastics, especially polyolefins, against thermo-oxidative ageing. These compounds preferably contain at least one group of formula

wherein R' is hydrogen, methyl or tert-butyl, and R" is unsubstituted or substituted alkyl or substituted alkylthioalkyl.

Representative examples of such sterically hindered phenols are:

2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2-tert-butyl-4,6-dimethylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4- ethylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-n-butylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol, 2,6-dicyclopentyl-4-methylphenol, 2-(α-methylcyclohexyl)-4,6-dimethylphenol, 2,6-dioctadecyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4,6- tricyclohexylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4- methoxymethylphenol, 2,6-dinonyl-4-methylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-amyl-hydroquinone, 2,6-diphenyl-4-octa- decyloxyphenol, 2,2'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-thiobis(4-octylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethyl- phenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[4-methyl-6-(α-methylcyclohexyl)phenol], 2,2'-methylenebis- (4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(6-nonyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-methyl- enebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-ethyl- idenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(α-methylbenzyl)-4-nonyl- phenol] , 2,2'-methylenebis [6- (α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol] , 4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-2-methylphen- ol), l,l-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane, 2,6-bis(3- tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methylphenol, 1 , 1 ,3-tris(5-tert-butyl-4- hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane, l,l-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-3-n-do- decylmercaptobutane, ethylene glycol bis[3,3-bis(3'-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)butyrate], bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)dicyclopentadiene, bis[2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'- hydroxy-5'-methylbenzyl)-6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl]terepht halate, l,3,5-tris(3,5-di- tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene, bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- benzyl)sulfide, isooctyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmercaptoacetate, bis(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)dithiolterepht halate, 1,3,5-tris- (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, l,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-di- methylbenzyl)isocyanurate, dioctadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, and the calcium salt of monoethyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, as well as compounds derived from tocopherol.

Especially preferred sterically hindered phenols suitable for use as component a) are the esters of β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid and of β-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propionic acid with monohydric or polyhydric alcohols, as with methanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N,N'-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide, and the amides of these acids, for example N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)-

hexamethylenediamine, N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl- propionyl)trimethylenediamine and N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)- hydrazine.

Further particularly preferred compounds are: 2-(l-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-pentylphenyl)ethyl-4,6-di-tert-p entylphenylacrylate

{2-(l,l-dimethylethyl)-6-[[3-(l,l-dimethylethyl)-2-hydrox y-5-methylphenyl]- methyl]-4-methylphenyl 2-propenoate} ;

-CH ₂ -CH ₂

{ 1,6-hexanediyl 3,5-bis(l,l-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenylpropanoate};

{l,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-2,l-ethanediyl) 3-(l,l-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl- propanoate};

CH ₂ SCgHι

{2-methyl-4,6-bis[(octylthio)methyl]phenol};

{ 2,2'-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol) } ;

{butylated reaction product of para-cresol and dicyclopentadien (average molecular weight: 600-700)}

{ thiodi-2, 1 -ethanediyl 3 ,5-bis( 1 , 1 -dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenylpropanoate } ;

{4,4 ^, ,4"-[(2,4,6-trimethyl-l,3,5-benzenetriyl)tris-(methyle ne)]tris[2,6-bis(l,l-dimethyleth- yl)phenol};

{l,3,5-tris[[3,5-bis(l,l-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]m ethyl]-l,3,5-triazine-2,4,6- (lH,3H,5H)trione).

Component a is most preferably the octadecyl ester of β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphen- yl)propionic acid, triethylene glycol bis[3(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)]- propionate, 1,6-hexanediol bis[3(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)]propionate and 2,2'- methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol)monoacrylate.

Component b) is an inorganic compound selected from the series of the metal oxides, metal hydroxides or metal carbonates.

Preferably component b) is selected from the metal oxides, metal hydroxides or metal carbonates of the elements of main group II and subsidiary groups IV and VII, the oxides being particularly preferred, typically MgO, MnO ₂ , ZnO and, most preferably, CaO.

A mixture of different components b) may also be used. For example, component b) may be a mixture of calcium oxide and calcium carbonate.

A metal hydroxide is typically magnesium hydroxide and a metal carbonate is typically calcium carbonate. Salts with different anions may also be used, for example magnesium aluminium hydroxycarbonates, so-called hydrotalcites.

It is further useful to add a metal salt of a fatty acid, the metal being preferably an element of main or subsidiary group II or tin.

These metal salts are preferably zinc, magnesium, tin or, more particularly, calcium salts selected from the series of the aliphatic saturated C ₂ -C ₂₂ carboxylates, of the aliphatic olefinic C ₃ -C ₂₂ carboxylates, of the aliphatic C^-C^carboxylates which are substituted by at least one OH group, of the cyclic or bicyclic C ₅ -C ₂₂ carboxylates, of the aromatic C ₇ -C ₂₂ carboxylates, of the aromatic C ₇ -C ₂₂ carboxylates which are substituted by at least one OH group, of the C ₁ -C ₁₆ alkyl-substitutedphenylcarboxylates and of the phenyl-Ci-C^alkylcarboxylates, of which the stearates and laurates, lactates, 2-ethylhexanoates and behenates are preferred.

Metal salts of fatty acids such as calcium stearate, zinc stearate and magnesium stearate, are very particularly preferred.

It is also possible to use a mixture of different above mentioned components. For example, a mixture of calcium laurate and calcium stearate or of zinc stearate and calcium stearate may be used.

A metal salt of a fatty acid is usually added in a ratio of 10:1 to 1:10, based on the ratio of (a+b):metal salt.

The invention further relates to stabiliser mixtures and to the use thereof for recycled styrene-containing thermoplastic materials recovered from domestic, commercial or industrial waste or from useful material collections and scrap plastic materials, which mixtures comprise a) at least one sterically hindered phenol, b) at least one inorganic compound selected from the series of the metal oxides, metal hydroxides or metal carbonates.

Very particularly preferred stabiliser mixtures comprise, in 100 parts,

(A) as component a) 5-90 parts of triethylene glycol bis[3(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5- methylphenyl)]propionate, as component b) 10-95 parts of calcium oxide;

(B) as component a) 5-90 parts of the octadecyl ester of β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- phenyl)propionic acid, as component b) 10-95 parts of calcium oxide; or

(C) as component a) 5-90 parts of triethylene glycol bis[3(3-tert.butyl-4-hydroxy-5- methylphenyl) ]propionate, as component b) 5-90 parts of calcium oxide, and as component c) 5-90 parts of calcium stearate.

The invention further relates to recycled styrene-containing thermoplastic materials recovered from domestic, commercial or industrial waste or from useful material collections and scrap plastic materials, which materials comprise a) at least one sterically hindered phenol, b) at least one inorganic compound selected from the series of the metal oxides, metal hydroxides or metal carbonates.

Preferred recycled styrene-containing thermoplastic materials, preferred stabiliser mixtures and the use thereof correspond in their components and mixture ratios to the preferred embodiments discussed in detail in connection with the process.

The addition of these combinations to the recyclate makes it possible to carry out the thermoplastic processing with reduced degradation and/or prolongs the life of the materials fabricated from the recyclate.

The stabilising action of the mixture of components a) and b), especially the processing stability and long-term stability, may be synergistically enhanced by the addition of so-called thiosynergists. These are thioethers, preferably thioesters, of thiodipropionic acid. Typical examples are the lauryl, stearyl, myristyl or tridecyl esters of thiodipropionic acid or distearyl disulfide. These thiosynergists are preferably added in an amount of 0.1

to 1 % by weight, based on the recyclate.

Further suitable stabilisers of the series of the lactates, e.g. calcium lactate, calcium

stearoyl-2-lactate, or lactones such as -

can likewise be used.

If the object fabricated from the recycled plastics material is also required to have superior light stability, then it is advisable to add one or more light stabilisers, most suitably those of the series of the benzophenones, benzotriazoles, oxalanilides and the sterically hindered amines. Representative examples of such compounds are:

2-Hvdroxybenzophenones, for example the 4-hydroxy, 4-methoxy, 4-octyloxy, 4-decyl- oxy, 4-dodecyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy, 2'-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy derivative.

2-(2'-Hvdroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles, for example the 5'-methyl, 3\5'-di-tert-butyl, 5 -tert-butyl, 5'-(l,l,3,3-tetramethylbutyl), 5-chloro-3',5'-di-tert-butyl, 5-chloro-3'- tert-butyl-5 '-methyl, 3'-sec-butyl-5'-tert-butyl, 4'-octyloxy, 3',5'-di-tert-amyl, 3',5'-bis(α,α-dimethylbenzyl) derivative.

Oxamides, for example 4,4'-dioctyloxyoxanilide, 2,2'-dioctyloxy-5, 5 '-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2,2'-didodecyloxy-5 ,5 '-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyl-oxanilide, N,N'-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxamide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2'-ethoxanilide and its mixture with 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyl-5,4'-di-tert-butoxanilide, mixtures of o- and p-methoxy-substituted oxanilides as well as of o- and p-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides.

Sterically hindered amines, for example bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl) sebacate, bis(l,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl) sebacate, bis(l-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- piperidyl) sebacate, the bis(l,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl) ester of n-butyl-3,5-di-tert-bu- tyl-4-hydroxybenzylmalonic acid, the condensate of l-hydroxyethyl-2,2,6,6-tetra-

methyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, the condensate of N,N'-bis (2,2,6,6- tetra- methyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-tert-octylamino-2,6-dichloro- 1 ,3,5-s-tri- azine or 4-morpholino-2,6-dichloro-l,3,5-triazine, tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperi- dyl)-l,2,3,4-butanetetraoate, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl) succinate, N-(l,2,2,6,6-pen- tamethyl-4-piperidyl)-α-dodecylsuccinimide, N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-α-dode- cylsuccinimide, 2,4,6- tris[N-pentyl-2-(3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-oxopiperazino)ethyl- amino]-l,3,5-triazine, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-7-oxa-3,20-diaza-21-oxo-dispiro[5,l,ll,2 ]hen- eicosane, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-20-(2-dodecyloxycarbonylethyl)-7-oxa-3,2 0-di- aza-21-oxo-dispiro[5, 1 ,11 ,2]heneicosane, 8-acetyl-3-dodecyl- 1 ,3,8-triaza-7,7,9,9-tetra- methylspiro[4,5]decane-2,4-dione, l,5,8,12-tetrakis[2,4-bis(N-butyl-l,2,2,6,6- pentamethyl-4-piperidylamino)-l,3,5-triazin-6-yl]-l,5,8,12-t etraazadodecane as well as polysiloxanes which contain 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl groups.

The light stabilisers are preferably incorporated in an amount of 0.01 to 2 % by weight, more particularly 0.05 to 1 % by weight, based on the plastic material. The preferred light stabiliser is a benzotriazole or a sterically hindered amine or a combination thereof.

If necessary, further customary additives for plastics can be incorporated in the recycled stryrene-containing plastic material, conveniently fillers such as wood flour or mica, reinforcing agents such as glass fibres, glass beads or mineral fibres, pigments, plasticisers, lubricants, flame retardants, antistatic agents or blowing agents. Such additives will depend on the envisaged use of the recyclate.

The stabilised recyclates can be used for a wide variety of purposes, typically for profiles, sheets, films, structural components, vehicle components and machine parts, and containers of all kinds, typically bottles, foamed materials such as sound-insulating boards or packaging material.

The recyclate can also be used in admixture with type-specific virgin plastics or together with type-specific virgin plastics, for example in a co-extrusion process.

The following Examples illustrate the inventive process and the stabiliser mixture in more detail. Unless otherwise indicated, parts and percentages are by weight.

Examples 1 to 17 (Tables 1-3)

Stabilisation of flame-proofed, foamed waste polystyrene

For ease of processing, the foamed material was compacted by heating under vacuum for

1 h to 100°C. The compacted material was milled. The flame-proofed waste polystyrene has a bromine content of c. 0.5 . Sample 1 and sample 2 are two different batches.

46 g of the EPS recyclate are kneaded for 10 minutes in a Brabender W 50 mixing chamber heated to 220°C (40 rpm). The additives (Tables 1-3) are added to the mixing chamber right at the start together with the plastics mixture. Mixing is stopped after 10 min, the polymer blend is removed from the mixing chamber and premoulded at 30°C/c. 50 KN for 1 min.

2 mm thick pressed sheets are fabricated from this moulding at 200°C 50 KN and the melt volume index (DIN 53 735; ISO 1133/12; 200°C/5 kg) is determined after comminution.

An analogous procedure is followed in the comparison Examples.

Table 1:

Brabender experiment (20 min, 220°C, 40 rpm) with flame-proofed EPS (compacted, sample 1)

% Additive MVI YI

comparison - none 98.1 83.9 comparison 0.20 AO-1 64.0 80.5

Example 1 0.15 /0.5 AO-l /M-1 47.4 31.1

Example 2 0.05 /0.15 AO-l / M-1 48.3 27.8

YI: according to ASTM D 1925-70 (DIN 5033)

Table 2:

Brabender experiment (20 min, 220°C, 40 rpm) with flame-proofed EPS (compacted, samplel)

% Additive MVI YI

comparison - none 98.1 83.9 comparison 0.20 AO-3 60.6 70.6

Example 3 0.15/0.5 AO-3/M-1 39.5 32.8

Example 4 0.10/0.10 AO-3/M-1 52.7 26.1

Example 5 0.05/0.15 AO-3/M-1 51.2 28.8

Example 6 0.15/0.15 AO-3/M-1 43.4 34.3

Example 7 0.10/0.075/0.025 AO-3/M-1/F-1 47.4 30.7

Example 8 0.10/0.5/0.5 AO-3/M-1/F-1 46.1 30.9

Example 9 0.10/0.025/0.075 AO-3/M-1/F-1 47.6 34.1

YI: according to ASTM D 1925-70 (DIN 5033)

Table 3:

Brabender experiment (20 min, 220°C, 40 rpm) with flame-proofed EPS (compacted, sample 2)

% Additive MVI

comparison - none 146.2 comparison 0.20 AO-2 103.1 comparison 0.30 AO-2 106.8

Example 10 0.150/0.050 AO-2/M-1 87.0

Example 11 0.125/0.075 AO-2/M-1 . 80.5

Example 12 0.10/0.10 AO-2/M-1 82.1

Example 13 0.20/0.10 AO-2/M-1 76.4

Example 14 0.25/0.10 AO-2/M-1 63.0

Example 15 0.30/0.10 AO-2/M-1 60.0

Example 16 0.20/0.05/0.05 AO-2/M-1/F-1 60.9

Example 17 0.30/0.05/0.05 AO-2/M-1/F-1 55.0

The stabilised samples exhibit a lower MVI value and a diminished discolouration expressed by the YI value than in the comparison Examples.

Examples 18-20 (Table 4)

Stabilisation of polystyrene recyclate (EPS recyclate) from packaging materials

45 g of the compacted EPS are kneaded for 10 minutes in a Brabender W 50 mixing chamber heated to 220°C (46 rpm). The additives (Table 4) are added to the mixing chamber right at the start together with the plastics mixture. Mixing is stopped after 10 min, the polymer blend is removed from the mixing chamber and premoulded at 30°C/c.50KNforlmin.

2 mm thick pressed sheets are fabricated from this moulding at 200°C/50 KN and the melt volume index (DIN 53735; ISO 1133/12; 200°C/5 kg) is determined after comminution.

An analogous procedure is followed in the comparison Examples.

Table 4:

Mixing chamber (20 min, 220°C, 46 rpm) with recyclate from EPS packing material (granulate)

% Additive MVI

comparison - none 44.9 comparison 0.1 AO-3 32.1 comparison 0.1 M-l 33.8

Example 18 0.05 /0.05 AO-3 /M-l 30.4

Example 19 0.025 /0.075 AO-3 /M-l 31.9

Example 20 0.05 / 0.04 / 0.01 AO-3 /M-l /F-l . 31.8

The stabilised samples exhibit a lower MVI value than in the comparison Examples.

Example 21 (Table 5)

Stabilisation of waste polystyrene (impact-modified)

48 g of the IPS recyclate from packaging material (yoghurt beakers) are kneaded for 10 minutes in a Brabender W 50 mixing chamber heated to 220°C (46 rpm). The additives (Table 5) are added to the mixing chamber right at the start together with the plastics mixture. Mixing is stopped after 10 min, the polymer blend is removed from the mixing chamber and premoulded at 30°C/c. 50 KN for 1 min.

2 mm thick pressed sheets are fabricated from this moulding at 200°C/50 KN and from these sheets dumbbells are punched. These dumbbells are aged at 80°C in a circulating air oven. Samples are taken from the oven at defined intervals of time and investigated for the degree of yellowing (Table 5).

An analogous procedure is followed in the comparison Examples.

Table 5

Oven ageing of samples of waste IPS (yoghurt beakers) at 80°C

10 min in the mixing chamber at 220°C, 46 rpm, 2 mm pressed sheet

Comparison 1 Comparison 2 Example 21

Additive no additive 0.05% AO-3 0.05% AO-3 / 0.05% M-l

Oven ageing YI YI YI

[h]

0 -0.5 -0.5 -0.6

197 0.6 — —

408 5.7 — -0.5

504 — • 0.9 —

601 9.7 — 0.3

720 — 2.6 —

800 13.7 — 1.5

935 — 4.0 —

1007 16.1 1.7

The stabilised samples exhibit a substantially diminished increase in yellowing than the samples in the comparison Examples.

Examples 22-26:

In a mixer, granular foamed polystyrene recyclate (EPS recyclate) from packaging material is homogenised with the stabilisers (Table 6) and then extruded three times in succession on a twin-screw kneader (220°C). Before extrusion and after each extrusion, the melt volume index is determined (MVI; 200°C; 5 kg) according to DIN 53735 (ISO 1133/12).

Table 6:

Stabiliser mixture MVI after

0 1 2 3 extrusions

~ without stabiliser 23.2 25.8 26.3 26.9

Ex. 22 0.15 % AO-2 + 0.1 % M-l 23.0 23.7 23.9 24.1

Ex. 23 0.2 % AO-2 + 0.1 % M-l 23.0 24.2 23.3 24.2

Ex. 24 0.1 % AO-3 + 0.1 % M-l 23.0 23.5 22.1 23.6

Ex. 25 0.1 % AO-3 + 0.2 % M-l 23.0 23.0 23.1 23.3

Ex. 26 0.2 % AO-3 + 0.1 % M-l 23.0 23.6 23.6 24.1

The stabilised samples exhibit only an insignificant increase in the MVI value after repeated extrusion, thus indicating very good stabilisation.

Examples 27 to 29:

A granular EPS recyclate from production waste (Examples 27-30) or from packaging material (Examples 31-39) is kneaded with the stabilisers (Tables 7 and 8) for 10 minutes in a Brabender W 50 mixing chamber heated to 220°C (40 rpm). The polymer blends are removed from the mixing chamber and premoulded at 30°C/c. 20 KN for 1 min and then sheets are fabricated (thickness: 2 mm) at 200°C/50 KN on a press. The melt volume index is determined from the comminuted sheets (MVI; 200°C; 5 kg) according to DIN 53735 (ISO 1133/12).

Table 7:

Stabiliser mixture MVI (200/5)

— without stabiliser 44.4

Ex. 27 0.2 % AO-2 + 0.1 % M-l 18.8

Ex. 28 0.1 % AO-3 + 0.1 % M-l 17.6

Ex. 29 0.1 % AO-3 + 0.2 % M-l 17.0

Ex. 30 0.2 % AO-3 + 0.1 % M-l 16.0

Table 8:

Stabiliser mixture MVI (200/5)

~ without stabiliser 56.8

Ex. 31 0.1 % AO-2 + 0.05 % M-l 32.3

Ex. 32 0.1 % AO-2 + 0.1 % M-l 32.9

Ex. 33 0.3 % AO-2 + 0.2 % M-l 27.5

Ex. 34 0.05 % AO-3 + 0.05 % M-l 32.7

Ex. 35 0.05 % AO-3 + 0.1 % M-l 32.3

Ex. 36 0.05 % AO-3 + 0.2 % M-l 31.9

Ex. 37 0.15 % AO-3 + 0.05 % M-l 28.2

Ex. 38 0.15 % AO-3 + 0.1 % M-l 27.6

Ex. 39 0.15 % AO-3 + 0.2 % M-l 27.4

The stabilised samples exhibit a lower MVI value, thus indicating very good stabilisation.

The following stabilisers are used in the foregoing Examples:

AO-1 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol)monoacrylate

AO-2 octadecyl ester of β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid

AO-3 bis (triethylene glycol) ester of β-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)propio- nic acid

M-l calcium oxide

F-l calcium stearate