EFFECTS OF COMPATIBILIZERS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE/LIGNIN BLENDS

Low density polyethylene(LDPE)/lignin blends were prepared using melt blending.Two kinds of compatibilizers, ethylene-vinylacetate(EVA) which is softer than LDPE and polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride(PE-g-MA) which is harder than LDPE were used to improve the interfacial adhesion.Scanning electron microscope(SEM) was used to investigate the dispersion of lignin in LDPE matrix.The results showed that both of the compatibilizers could improve the interaction between the low density polyethylene and l...

Development and Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Coconut Fibre Reinforced Low Density Polyethylene Composite

This research work developed and evaluated the mechanical properties of coconut fibre reinforced low density polyethylene (LPDE) composite material. The effect of fibre loading on the mechanical properties: tensile, flexural, and impact of the developed composite material have been investigated. Also carried out was the effect of fibre loading on the water absorptivity of the developed material. Sample categories of the developed composite were prepared by varying the fibre contents by weight at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. The aim is to reduce the excessive waste disposal of LDPE materials that are largely found in the form of disposed water package materials (or pure water sachets) that usually affects the environment in the form of pollution. The water retting process was applied in extracting and cleaning fibre (or coir), while the mixed coir-LDPE (or developed composite material) was prepared by Compression Moulding Technique (CMT). The tensile and flexural properties were tested using Hounsfield Monsanto Tensometer (type w) while the impact properties were tested using the Charpy Impact testing machine. The microstructure of the composite was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The fractured surface morphology of the composite samples indicated a homogeneous mixture of the coir fibre and LDPE matrix. However, weak interfacial bonding between the coir fibre and LDPE matrix was also observed. The analysis of the water absorptivity showed that the developed composite materials have low water absorptivity at low fibre loading. However, at higher fibre loading, the water absorptivity increases significantly.

Effect of Oscillatory Shear on the Mechanical Properties and Crystalline Morphology of Linear Low Density Polyethylene

In this study, effects of oscillatory shear with different frequencies （0-2.5 Hz） and amplitudes （0-20 mm） on the mechanical properties and crystalline morphology of linear low density polyethylene （LLDPE） were investigated. It was found that the mechanical properties of LLDPE are improved because of the more perfect crystalline structure when LLDPE crystallizes under low-frequency and small-amplitude （0.2 Hz/4 mm） oscillatory shear. The mechanical properties can be further improved by increasing either the frequency or the amplitude of oscillatory shear. The Young＇s modulus and tensile strength of LLDPE are improved by 27% and 20%, respectively, when the frequency is increased to 2.5 Hz and the amplitude is maintained at 4 mm; while the Young＇s modulus and tensile strength are improved by 49% and 47%, respectively, when the amplitude is increased to 20 mm and the frequency is remained as 0.2 Hz. The crystallinity and microstructure of LLDPE under different oscillatory shear conditions were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry, wide angle X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to shed light on the mechanism for the improvement of mechanical properties.

The Impact of the Inclusion of MgO Nano-Fillers in a Polyethylene Matrix on Dielectric Strength and Resistance to Partial Discharges

One commonly used strategy to enhance polymers specific properties such as the resistance to partial discharges erosion is the incorporation into the polymeric matrix of inorganic micro or nanoparticles. This study focused on the dielectric properties of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) filled with nano-sized Magnesium Oxide (MgO) particles compounded by thermo-mechanical process and one of the purposes was to establish appropriate processing parameters in order to reach the desired dielectric properties. LDPE was used as a matrix and was reinforced by MgO particles having a nominal average size of 30 nm. The MgO nanoparticles were treated with a silane coupling agent (3-Glycidyloxypropyl Trimethoxysilane). The samples were initially prepared in a melt-mixing chamber with a MgO content of 1% wt. These pre-mixed samples were further treated by the means of thermo-mechanical mixing in a conical co-rotating twin-screw extruder in order to improve the dispersion and distribution of the MgO particles. In this report, both lifetime under a PD activity and AC dielectric strength of pure and nano-filled LDPE samples have been measured and compared. Nano-filled LDPE samples were found to exhibit an improve lifetime, without any detrimental impact on their short-term dielectric strength. This suggests that nano-filled LDPE may be for electric applications for which the dielectric materials may be exposed to partial discharge activities. This is significant result for the use of MgO-reinforced PE as an insulating material for HV cables since the resistance to PD is closely related to treeing resistance which is the main electrical degradation mechanism that leads to failure for shielded extruded power cables.

Low Density Linear Polyethylene Reinforced with Alkali and MAPE Treated Fibers from Coffee Pulp

In this work fibers derived from coffee, hulls have been incorporated into Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). The influence of the filler content on the thermal and physicomechanical properties of the composites obtained was assessed. The results showed that the incorporation of fibers was able to improve the thermostability of LLDPE/Coffee hulls fibers;comparing the treated fiber composite with untreated fiber composites, the chemical treatment reduces by 58.3% the water absorption, while increasing the elongation and tensile strength by about 48% and 17% respectively. Moreover, due to better interfacial interaction induced by MAPE, the corresponding composite exhibited better properties compared to the untreated fiber composite. Results are indicative of the fact that both mercerization and MAPE (coupling agent) have significant positive effects on the fiber-matrix interaction in terms of adhesion, wetting and dispersion, this treatment produced a better fiber distribution and consequently a more uniform composite morphology without voids and gaps between the fibers and the matrix, allowing the possibility to use higher fiber contents (up to 30% wt.) with acceptable mechanical properties.

Optimization of Process Parameter for Sawdust/Recycled Polyethylene Composites

In this paper, Okhuen wood sawdust and recycled polyethylene (RLDPE) were blended and then hot-pressed to produce sawdust/recycled polyethylene composite board. The optimum processing parameters for preparing the composite such as temperature, pressing time, sawdust/RLDPE content and pressure were investigated and optimized using L9 (34) Taguchi experimental design orthogonal array. The tensile strength of the various formulations was determined. The results show that those factors made different effects on the tensile strength of the composites. The optimized process conditions obtained are as follows: press time 7 min, press temperature 180°C, saw-dust/RLDPE 60:40%, press pressure 40kg/cm2. The average tensile strength of the optimized composite board was 13.991 MPa. The composite board met the standard for general purpose applications.

Progressive Failure Analysis of Quasi-isotropic Self-reinforced Polyethylene Composites by Comparing Unsupervised and Supervised Classifications of Acoustic Emission Data

Unsupervised and supervised pattern recognition( PR)techniques are used to classify the acoustic emission( AE) data originating from the quasi-isotropic self-reinforced polyethylene composites,in order to identify the various mechanisms in the multiangle-ply thermoplastic composites. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene / low density polyethylene( UHMWPE / LDPE)composites were made and tested under quasi-static tensile load. The failure process was monitored by the AE technique. The collected AE signals were classified by unsupervised and supervised PR techniques, respectively. AE signals were clustered with unsupervised PR scheme automatically and mathematically. While in the supervised PR scheme,the labeled AE data from simple lay-up UHMWPE / LDPE laminates were utilized as the reference data.Comparison was drawn according to the analytical results. Fracture surfaces of the UHMWPE / LDPE specimens were observed by a scanning electron microscope( SEM) for some physical support. By combining both classification results with the observation results,correlations were established between the AE signal classes and their originating damage modes. The comparison between the two classifying schemes showed a good agreement in the main damage modes and their failure process. It indicates both PR techniques are powerful for the complicated thermoplastic composites. Supervised PR scheme can lead to a more precise classification in that a suitable reference data set is input.

Development of a Novel Extrusion Process for Preparing Rice Straw/LLDPE Composites

Straw utilization is a key issue related to agricultural production and air pollution control.In this study,a novel extrusion process was proposed to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the straw-reinforced linear low-density polyethylene(LLDPE)composite.Instead of crushing the straw and mixing it with plastic matrix,the new method mixes straw with plastic matrix in its original form.The intact long rice straws were parallelly spread on the LLDPE film and then rolled up together into a prefabricated roll.The rolls experienced three extrusion processes as follows:(1)twin-screw melting,cooling and crushing,single-screw extruding;(2)twin-screw melting and single-screw extruding;(3)directly single-screw extruding.The testing results showed that the straw/LLDPE composite(with a ratio of 6:4)prepared by Method(2)exhibited optimized properties.Characterization by scanning electron microscopy indicated that the damage to rice straw fibers was relatively minor,the orientation of long fibers was good,and the binding of fibers with the LLDPE matrix was excellent in this case.The results of dynamic mechanical testing(DMA),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)and thermogravimetric(TG)analysis demonstrated that composites prepared by the new process exhibited significantly improved thermal stability and energy storage modulus,compared with those prepared by conventional processes(e.g.,extruded straw particles/LLDPE composite).The new proposed method yielded significantly enhanced mechanical properties while reducing dust pollution.

A low-density polyethylene composite with phosphorus-nitrogen based flame retardant and multi-walled carbon nanotubes for enhanced electrical conductivity and acceptable flame retardancy

Design and exploitation of flame retardant polymers with high electrical conductivity are desired for polymer applications in electronics.Herein,a novel phosphorus-nitrogen intumescent flame retardant was synthesized from pentaerythritol octahydrogen tetraphosphate,phenylphosphonyl dichloride,and aniline.Low-density polyethylene was combined with the flame retardant and multi-walled carbon nanotubes to form a nanocomposite material via a ball-milling and hot-pressing method.The electrical conductivity,mechanical properties,thermal performance,and flame retardancy of the composites were investigated using a four-point probe instrument,universal tensile machine,thermogravimetric analysis,and cone calorimeter tests,respectively.It was found that the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes can significantly improve the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the low-density polyethylene composites.Furthermore,the combination of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and phosphorus–nitrogen flame retardant remarkably enhances the flame retardancy of matrixes with an observed decrease of the peak heat release rate and total heat release of 49.8%and 51.9%,respectively.This study provides a new and effective methodology to substantially enhance the electrical conductivity and flame retardancy of polymers with an attractive prospect for polymer applications in electrical equipment.

SEMI-QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF SEGMENT DISTRIBUTION IN LLDPE BASED ON THERMAL SEGREGATION

Based on successive multiple-step isothermal crystallization and self-nucleation annealing methods, a novel semi-quantitative method for the characterization of segment distribution in linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) was established by treating the thermal analysis data using the Gibbs-Thomson equation. The method was used to describe the segment distribution of Ziegler-Natta catalyzed LLDPE (Z-N LLDPE), metallocene catalyzed LLDPE (m-LLDPE) and two commercial LLDPEs with wide molecular weight distribution. The differences of the results obtained from the two thermally treated samples were compared. The results of segment distribution of the polymers were discussed according to their microstructure data and were compared with their characteristics. It can be deduced from the results that this characterization method is effective to characterize the sequence structure of the branched ethylene copolymers.

Surface Grafting of Phenolic Resole onto LDPE Films

Low density polyethylene film surface-grafted phenolic resole was prepared by a sequential processes. Firstly, acrylic acid was grafted to the surface of low density polyethylene by photo-grafting. Secondly, the carboxylic groups in poly（acrylic acid） chains were transferred to sulfonic groups by the reaction of carboxylic groups with sulfanilic acid. Finally, a thin layer of phenolic resole was cured onto the surface of low density polyethylene. The grafting process was characterized by FTIR-ATR and gravimetric analysis. A possible model was proposed to interpret the experimental results.

Conception by a Process for Extruding Plastic Mulching Film with Cade Oil and Study of Snail Repellent and Anti-bacterial Adhesion Effects

In organic lettuce cultivation,snails can cause great economic loss.There is a lack of effective control methods for these molluscs.This work is focused on the development of a new agricultural plastic mulch material based on low density polyethylene(LDPE),as it is the most widely used polymer in plasticulture.The objective was to develop a new bio-based plastic mulch material that is insect repellent and anti-biofilm by incorporating a bioactive substance into the conventional formulation of the material.A new plastic mulching film made of 0.1%cade oil as was produced using the extrusion process.Bioadhesion tests carried out with aqueous suspensions of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa show that this material is endowed with anti-biofilm effects.This study will demonstrate how to act by repulsive effect to Helix aspersa against this devastating mollusk in salads culture.

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Recycled Mixed Waste Polymers Reinforced with Reclaimed Newsprint Fibres

This study investigates the mechanical,thermal and morphological properties of rHDPE(Recycled High Density Polyethylene)and a mixture of rPE HD/LD(High and Low Density Polyethylene),both reinforced with rNP(Reclaimed Newsprint Paper)fibres.To enhance the composite properties,the addition of highly grafted maleic anhydride polyethylene wax,as CA(Coupling Agent),and semi crystalline copolymer of propylene and ethylene,as IM(Impact Modifier),was included into the material formulation by a twin-screw extruder.Mechanical and morphological properties were studied on tensile test specimens,prepared by injection moulding,by tensile testing machine and SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope),respectively.Thermal properties,i.e.melting and crystallization behaviour,were investigated by DSC(Differential Scanning Calorimetry).Mechanical analysis showed that the addition of rNP in both composites increased the young modulus and significantly decreased the elongation at break.The DSC results revealed that the addition of the rNP in the rHDPE matrix led to a substantial decrease of crystallinity,which consequently affects the tensile strength of the composite(17 MPa)in contrast to the neat rHDPE(25 MPa).On the contrary,fibre addition in rPE HD/LD matrix had no specific impact on the crystallinity index,but did contribute to the increased tensile strength(26 MPa)when compared with neat rPE HD/LD(16 MPa).SEM photomicrographs of the impact fracture surfaces demonstrated a solid adhesion bond between the natural fibres and the rPE HD/LD matrix.Reclaimed newsprint fibres can thus be considered as a perspective alternative to the inorganic fillers in the rPE HD/LD composite.

Orientation of LDPE Crystals from Microscale to Nanoscale via Microlayer or Nanolayer Coextrusion

Abstract The microlayer or nanolayer coextrusion of hundreds or thousands of alternating low density polyethylene （LDPE）/polystyrene （PS） microlayers or nanolayers were used to study the orientation of LDPE crystals in the confined quasi-two-dimensional or two-dimensional space. The clear and continuous layer structures from microscale to nanoscale can be found in SEM images. The morphology evolution of LDPE crystals in the confined microlayer or nanolayer can he varied from 3D spherulites, 2D spherulites, stacked edge-on lamellar, to single edge-on lamellar. Due to the orientation of the LDPE crystals, the tensile strength of the films increases obviously when the layer thickness reduces to nanoscale. The 2D small angle X-ray scattering （SAXS） patterns can reflect the average degree of orientation of LDPE in the confined layers. The stacking of LDPE lamellae is suppressed in interlamination and oppositely in parallel to the extrusion direction. The specific orientation function f can be calculated from the patterns. The infrared dichroism further confirms the mutation of the orientation of LDPE crystals from microscale to nanoscale in the confined space.