Meaning
Mixing granulated internal scrap with virgin resin reduces the overall material cost of a production run. The regrind ratio determines the balance between cost savings and the physical properties of the finished product. This material typically comes from internal waste that has been processed for reuse.
Quality Limitation
Degradation of the polymer chain happens each time the material is heated. Managing the regrind ratio is necessary to prevent the loss of impact strength or clarity in the final part. Production standards often set a maximum limit on the amount of recycled content allowed.
Economic Benefit
Reusing scrap reduces the total amount of expensive virgin resin required for a job. A higher regrind ratio lowers the material cost per unit but may increase the risk of process instability. The optimal level is found where the savings outweigh the cost of potential quality failures.
Documentation Requirement
Documentation must track the origin and history of the recycled content. When using a regrind ratio, the manufacturer needs to ensure the material is free from contamination and consistent in size. Failure to control the quality of the regrind can lead to blocked filters or damaged tools.
Consistency is the primary goal of material blending in a high volume production environment.
