SAN Plastics
SAN’s clarity makes it one of the few plastics that can be used in transparent applications.
Its glass-like clarity, especially when pigmented, and ease of printing on its surface make it widely used in the kitchen, for example in mixing bowls and basins, as well as in cosmetic packaging.
SAN Overview
Styrene acrylonitrile resin, often abbreviated to SAN, is a copolymer of styrene and acrylonitrile, widely used to replace polystyrene due to its higher heat resistance.
Its relative composition is typically 70% to 80% (by weight) styrene and 20% to 30% acrylonitrile. While a higher acrylonitrile content can improve mechanical properties and chemical resistance, it can give the otherwise clear plastic a slightly yellow tint, which is not desirable in some applications.
What is SAN plastic used for?
SAN plastic is hard, clear, tough, resistant to grease, stress cracking and crazing, easy to process and resistant to food stains, making it ideal for use in the kitchen.
In addition to mixing bowls, SAN is used to make cutlery, cutlery, coffee filters and food storage containers. Elsewhere in the home, SAN is used to make toothbrushes and bathroom accessories for its beautiful coloring.
The wear-resistant properties of SAN plastic also make it a good choice for a variety of products in the office and industrial sectors, such as housings for printers, calculators and lamps.
Recycling of Styrene-Acrylonitrile Resin (SAN Resin)
Current Status and Importance of Recycling
SAN resin, namely acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ACR resin), is a polymer material widely used in plastics, coatings, adhesives and other fields. Due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, SAN resin has been widely used in industrial production. However, with the development of production technology, a large number of expired, stocked and scrapped SAN resins have appeared on the market. If they are not properly handled, they will have an impact on the environment.
Therefore, recycling SAN resin is of great significance in the current context of environmental protection and resource conservation.
Recycling methods and technologies
Mechanical recycling: The recycled SAN resin waste is washed, cut, remade and other processes to produce recycled particles, and then made into new products by injection molding, extrusion and other methods. This method is suitable for lightly polluted materials, but the recycling effect is poor for heavily polluted or mixed materials.
Chemical recycling: SAN resin is degraded into monomers or small molecules through chemical reactions, and then resynthesized into new materials. This method can handle a variety of plastic mixtures, but the technical requirements are high and the cost is relatively high.
Energy recovery: Convert SAN resin waste that cannot be directly recycled into energy, such as incineration to produce heat energy, or gasification to produce synthesis gas. However, this method may cause environmental pollution, and its environmental effects need to be paid attention to when implementing it.
