Impact of Hybrid Fillers on the Properties of High Density Polyethylene Based Composites

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to develop a variety of hybrid high-density polyethylene (HDPE) micro- and nanocomposites and to investigate their thermal, mechanical, and morphological characteristics as a function of number of fillers and their contents percentage. In this study, 21 formulations of the composites were prepared using fillers with different sizes including micro fillers such as talc, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), as well as nano-filler (fumed silica (FS)) though the melt blending technique. The morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of the composite samples were evaluated. The morphological study revealed negligible filler agglomerates, good matrix–filler interfacial bonding in case of combined both CaCO3 and FS into the composites. Sequentially, improvements in tensile, flexural and Izod impact strengths as a function of fillers loading in the HDPE matrix have been reported. The maximum enhancement (%) of tensile, flexural and impact strengths were 127%, 86% and 16.6%, respectively, for composites containing 25% CaCO3 and 1% FS without any inclusion of talc filler; this indicates that the types/nature, size, quantity and dispersion status of fillers are playing a major role in the mechanical properties of the prepared composites more than the number of the used fillers.

Tribological and morphological properties of bentonite nano‐clay/CaCO3 reinforced high‐density polyethylene nanocomposites

“…keeps on decreasing till the final interval (20–30 min), reaching the minimum of value ≈2.6 in BC‐10/15. This variation is the indicator of change in the wear phenomenon explained in the study of Sudin et al 26 According to the assertion made by him, the coefficient of friction initially undergoes identical changes as pure polymer, on a fresh abrasive surface, and it becomes steady or changes as the test continues. This variation indicates that after removing the outer layer, the mode of wear (mass loss) has changed.…”

“…Such higher values stipulate that the wear process of these samples is identical to HDPE polymer. The existing CaCO 3 particles tend to agglomerate when loaded unaccompanied by bentonite, due to incompatible chemical nature with non‐polar HDPE 26 . This resulted in a higher wear rate, even higher than a pure polymer due to the lower bentonite/CaCO 3 ratio.…”

“…It is suggested that determining the exact coefficient of friction is a complex phenomenon due to variable frictional behavior between articulating bodies during the course of contact. 26 Therefore, the mode of variation in friction coefficient is discussed here in terms of friction coefficient curves versus sliding time, as shown in Figure 4A-C. Figure 4A represents variations of the C.O.F.…”

“…The existing CaCO 3 particles tend to agglomerate when loaded unaccompanied by bentonite, due to incompatible chemical nature with non-polar HDPE. 26 This resulted in a higher wear rate, even higher than a pure polymer due to the lower bentonite/CaCO 3 ratio. The extra severe damage caused can be envisioned in Figure 5C.…”

Reinforcement of the thermal stability and mechanical properties of low-density polyethylene/high-density polyethylene foam using a modified calcium sulfate whisker

“…In comparison with LDPE, HDPE is a unique class of non-polar and higher crystallinity thermoplastic resins with high thermal stability and rigidity, thus showing good potential for expanding LDPE foam applications. 23–25 For these reasons, LDPE resin is generally blended with polymers that are compatible with it and have enhancement mechanisms, for example, LDPE/HDPE blends are commonly used for coaxial cable insulation to meet the requirement of both the mechanical properties and the foaming performances. 26…”