2.2. Mix design
Shredded mixed plastic and leaf materials were used at a 1:1 ratio. The raw
materials were pretreated with saturated polycarbonate, PVC, and polystyrene
solutions in three separate batches of mixes (PC-mix, PVC-mix, and PS-mix) and
thoroughly mixed in a mixer (Model: Phase1 with 2HP motor and 60 cycles, Mgf:
Tsung Nsing Machinery Co. Ltd., Taiwan) at a speed of 40–50 rpm. The resultant
mixture of each batch was allowed to air dry. Each batch of mixture was re-run
for 3–4 min in order to dislodge any lumps and separate particles from one another.
The components of each mixture, its compatible encapsulating/coupling agent, and
coloring agent are shown in Table 1.