Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Characterization of HDPE / Nanoclay Composites

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites consist of a polymeric substances and a nanoscale reinforcing materials. These materials show substantial improvements in mechanical properties, gas barrier properties, thermal stability, chemical resistance, dimensional stability and fire retardancy over the base polymer. The reinforcing effect of nano-clay on high density polyethylene (HDPE) and the effect of gamma radiation on the properties of HDPE with different ratios of nano-clay have been studied. The nano-clay are added to HDPE of 0%, 3.0%, 5.0%, 7.0% and 10.0% by weight. After the nano composites are exposed to different doses of gamma radiation, the phase composition microstructure and mechanical properties of composites are investigated using tensile test, hardness and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Results show that the mechanical properties of nano-composites are improved due to addition of nano-clay. It is found that the optimum 3 wt % nano-clay addition. The microstructural analysis results indicate that the nano-clay behaves not only as a filler to improve the microstructure, but also as an activator to facilitate the polymer reaction. The mechanical properties were investigated as a function of irradiation dose and nano-clay content. Gamma irradiation led to a significant improvement in the properties for all composites up to 100 KGy.