ABSTRACT
Properties of recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) from different brands of discarded refrigerators were investigated in this work. Solvent extraction method was adopted at room temperature. Three different solvents benzene, toluene and tetrahydrofuran were screened for the dissolution of the ABS. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was found to be the most suitable solvent with solubility parameter of 9.79 cal/cm3 which was close to the solubility parameter of Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene of 9.4cal/cm3. Fourier Transmission Infrared (FTIR) analysis indicated presence of ABS in the materials recycled from all the refrigerator brands. However, the recycled ABS from Matsui refrigerator was found to have mechanical properties closest to those of virgin ABS, with tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and flexural strength of 31.66MPa, 1021MPa and 60.18MPa respectively, as compared to the virgin ABS tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and flexural strength of 48.3 MPa, 1312MPa and 65.75MPa respectively. The recycled ABS can be used directly for appliances production and as blend with other polymer materials.