Effect of Interfacial Interaction on Properties of Gamma Ray-Irradiated High Density Polyethylene Reinforced by Sericite-Tridymite-Cristobalite

Abstract

A Gamma-ray irradiation was employed to modify high density polyethyelene (HDPE) in order to impart poor interfacial interaction between hydrophobic matrix and hydrophilic Sericite-Tridymite-Cristobalite (STC) filler. The STC filler was further treated with a silane coupling agent. The FTIR, SEM and rheological observations confirmed enhanced interactions between oxygen containing groups on the irradiated matrix (c-HDPE) and NH 2 groups of silane-treated filler (t-STC), resulting in improved mechanical properties of the composites (10 times in case of impact strength). The parameter of the theoretical model used characterizing interfacial interaction increased from 2.69 for HDPE/STC up to 4 for irradiated and surface treated material.

Processing and characterization of polyethylene-based composites

“…66 Irradiation of HDPE with gamma rays reinforced with silane-treated filler (sericitetridymite -cristobalite) improved the impact strength of PE composites. 67 The chemical modification of the fiber surface improved its adhesion with the matrix. Impact tests demonstrated that surface treatment of PE/rice husk composites improved mechanical performance comparative to the pure polymer matrix.…”