https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2025.046
Published: Kem. Ind. 75 (3-4) (2026) 221–228
Paper reference number: KUI-46/2025
Paper type: Original scientific paper
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Mechanical Recycling of Polyamide Trimmer Line: A Solution or a Waste of Time?

M. Jakić, A. Pastuović, M. N. Mužek and S. Perinović Jozić

Abstract

In this work, trimmer lines were mechanically recycled using a laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder. The influence of mechanical recycling on the material’s structure, thermal properties, and thermal stability was evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed that the trimmer lines were composed of poly(ε-caprolactam), or polyamide 6 (PA6). Mechanical recycling did not affect the structure of PA6. The thermal properties of the trimmer lines were analysed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicated that extrusion influenced chain packing and rearrangement, leading to crystallisation of PA6 from the melt at a higher temperature. The effect of mechanical recycling on the thermal stability of the trimmer lines was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Based on the characteristic parameter (T_onset and T_max) values, it can be concluded that mechanical recycling did not deteriorate the thermal stability of PA6. Mechanical recycling can be a potential solution for recycling of used trimmer lines.

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Keywords

trimmer line, mechanical recycling, extrusion, polyamide