Car manufacturers are currently challenged with increasing the sustainability of their products and production to comply with sustainability requirements and legislation. One way to enhance product sustainability is by reducing the carbon footprint of fossil-based plastic parts. Particle foams are a promising solution to achieve the goal of using lightweight parts with minimal material input. Ongoing developments involve the use of expanded particle foam beads made from engineering plastics such as polyamide (EPA). To achieve this, a simulated life cycle was carried out on virgin EPA, including mechanical recycling. The virgin material was processed into specimens using a steam-free method. One series was artificially aged to replicate automotive life cycle stresses, while the other series was not. The mechanical recycling and re-foaming of the minipellets were then carried out, resulting in an EPA particle foam with 100% recycled content. Finally, the thermal and chemical material properties were comparatively analysed. The study shows that the recycled EPA beads underwent polymer degradation during the simulated life cycle, as evidenced by their material properties. For instance, the recycled beads showed a more heterogeneous molecular weight distribution (an increase in PDI from two to three), contained carbonyl groups, and exhibited an increase in the degree of crystallization from approximately 24% to 36%.

Reducing the CO₂ emissions of plastic parts is crucial in terms of sustainable product and process designs. Approaches include the use of recycled materials and reducing the energy demands of processes through more efficient technologies. In this context, this study shows the potential of the steam-free processing of particle foam beads into thin-walled moulded parts. Expanded polypropylene (EPP) particle foam beads have been processed in both a steam-free and steam-based process. For this purpose, specimens with different part densities and thicknesses were produced, the mechanical properties were investigated, and the surface quality was discussed. Specimens made of EPP with a part thickness of 5 to 20 mm and part densities of 60 to 185 g/L were produced steam-free. Lower part thicknesses and higher densities increase the mechanical properties. As the density increased, the homogeneity of the surfaces of the steam-free specimens also increased. In comparison, specimens with a thickness of 10 mm and part densities of 35 to 90 g/L were produced on a steam-based process. The results of the mechanical test were compared with those of the steam-free specimens. The steam-based specimens showed higher mechanical properties for the same density.

Car manufacturers are currently facing the challenge of making their products and production more sustainable in order to comply with sustainability requirements and legislation. For example, the latest draft legislation in the European Union requires a general use of 25% recycled material for plastic parts, of which 25% should be post-consumer recyclate (PCR). One way to make products more sustainable is to reduce the carbon footprint of fossil-based plastic parts. This can be achieved by using lightweight parts with minimum material input and therefore low density on the one hand, and recycled materials on the other. Particle foam parts have the potential to meet both requirements. Expanded polypropylene (EPP) parts are currently used in vehicles for their lightweight potential, insulating and energy absorbing properties.To achieve sustainable particle foam parts made from EPP, the recycled content must be increased while meeting material and mechanical property requirements. For this purpose, three simulated life cycles with two recycling loops were carried out on virgin EPP. The virgin material was processed to specimens in a steamfree process and then artificially aged to replicate automotive life cycle stresses. Then, the mechanical properties were evaluated, mechanical recycling was carried out and an EPP particle foam with 100% recycled content was produced and processed. Meanwhile, the material properties, such as thermal and chemical properties, were determined and analysed comparatively.After each recycling cycle the influences of different aging mechanisms and processing steps on the properties could be demonstrated. The molecular chain structure shows a clear dependence on the number of recycling steps, resulting in a more inhomogeneous distribution. Compression properties show a decrease of 13,7% after the first recycling step and 39,25% after the second recycling step.Overall, the recyclability of EPP material has been demonstrated, potentially allowing the use of higher levels of recycled content.