以溶劑法回收聚苯乙烯製作再生建材磚之可行性研究

Abstract

本研究旨在探討以溶劑回收法製備再生塑膠磚的可行性,並評估其在力學,熱性質及環境耐久性方面的表現。其次,為了降低傳統聚苯乙烯(Polystyrene, PS)廢棄物在焚化與掩埋處理過程中所造成的環境衝擊,本研究嘗試以丙酮作為溶劑,將發泡性 PS 廢料有效溶解並體積縮減,結合聚丙烯(Polypropylene, PP)粒料,進行混合,壓製,乾燥等步驟,製備具建材應用潛力之塑膠磚體。 首先,本研究透過系列實驗驗證不同 PS:PP 配比對磚體成型性,抗壓強度之影響,並進行熱重分析(TGA),傅立葉轉換紅外光譜儀(FTIR),掃描式電子顯微鏡(SEM)與能譜分析(EDS)等材料性質鑑定,確認樣品中未摻雜無機填充劑,整體組成以高分子材料為主,且力學與熱性質表現穩定。此外,藉由酸雨浸泡試驗與凍融循環試驗模擬實際環境下之耐久性情形,結果顯示其抗壓強度未明顯下降,具有良好耐候性。進一步將受損或瑕疵樣品回收再溶解後重新製磚,亦成功製備出第二代磚體,顯示本製程具備材料循環再利用潛力。 綜合各項試驗結果顯示,溶劑法製備再生塑膠磚不僅能有效降低 PS 體積,提升回收效率,亦能在不使用無機填料的情況下製成具強度與耐久性之建材產品。相較於傳統機械或熱熔製程,本研究提出之製程簡易,能耗低,且所使用原料皆為回收塑膠,具備高環保指標與商品化潛力,未來可應用於臨時隔間牆,戶外舖面,社區回收設施等非結構性建材場域。

This study investigates the feasibility of producing recycled plastic bricks using a solvent-based recovery method and evaluates their mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and environmental durability. To address the environmental issues caused by the incineration and landfilling of traditional polystyrene (PS) waste, acetone was employed as a solvent to effectively dissolve and reduce the volume of expanded PS. The resulting solution was then mixed with polypropylene (PP) pellets and processed through pressing, drying, to form bricks suitable for construction applications. First, the influence of different PS:PP ratios on brick formability, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity was examined. Analytical methods including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed that the samples consisted purely of polymeric materials without inorganic fillers. The results indicated stable mechanical and thermal performance. Moreover, durability under environmental stress was assessed using rain immersion and freeze-thaw cycle tests. Despite exposure to these conditions, the compressive strength of the bricks remained above required standards, demonstrating good weather resistance. Additionally, bricks that were damaged or defective were successfully redissolved and reformed into second-generation bricks, verifying the potential for closed-loop recycling within the same process. Overall, the experimental results show that the solvent-based method not only significantly reduces the volume of PS waste but also produces durable building materials without the addition of inorganic additives. Compared with conventional mechanical or thermal recycling techniques, this approach is simpler, more energy-efficient, and exclusively uses recycled plastic feedstock. The resulting bricks show potential for use in non-structural applications such as temporary partitions, outdoor walkways, and community recycling infrastructure.