Abstract: In this paper, the recover of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) from waste insulation cable was conducted through mechanochemical technology. It showed that the mechanochemical treatment was an efficient way to realize thermoplastic processing of waste XLPE. The tensile strength and elongation at break of mechanochemically treated XLPE reached 13.7 MPa and 383%, respectively. The apparent viscosity of waste XLPE was gradually decreased with milling processing and the processability was remarkably improved after mechanochemical treatment. The tensile strength and elongation at break of XPLE/PE-HD blend achieved 18.5MPa and 500%, respectively. The incorporation of PE could further improve the processing property of XLPE. The SEM observation of fractured surface of XLPE/PE-HD blend illustrated that mechanochemical treatment was beneficial to the improvement of the compatibility XLPE and PE-HD.

Key words: waste cross-linked polyethylene, reclamation, mechanochemical treatment, compatibility