Mechanical, Thermal, and Flow Properties of HDPE–Mica Composites

Abstract

A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is compounded with surfacetreated mica in a twin-screw extruder, with filler weight fractions (øf) of 5, 10, and 15%. The tensile, flexural, impact, heat distortion temperature and melt flow properties of the composites are measured to identify the effect of mica loading on these properties. The results show that the tensile yield strength and tensile fracture strength increase nonlinearly, while the flexural strength and flexural modulus increase linearly with an addition of øf. When øf is <5%, the tensile fracture elongation of the composites increases and then reduces, while the impact strength drops down quickly, and then decreases slightly with increasing øf. The melt volume flow rate (MVR) of the composites decreases linearly with increasing øf. The heat distortion temperature of the composites increases considerably when øf is <10%, and then decreases gently.

Effect of E-glass Fibers and Phlogopite Mica on the Mechanical Properties and Dimensional Stability of Rigid PVC Foams

“…The extension at break ranged between 29-31.5 mm, significantly lower than the 42 mm observed in samples reinforced with 5% GFs, i.e., G5M5 and G5M15. As expected, the highest ductility was observed in the pristine polymer due to the higher continuity of polymer chains in the matrix and lower defect sites in the absence of solid phase fillers [11,13,15] .…”

“…Liang et al [11] studied the effect of mica on the mechanical and thermal properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) at different mica contents (5%, 10%, and 15%). They reported improvements in the tensile and yield strengths and deterioration in the impact strength of the composites.…”

Mechanical Properties and Dimensional Stability of Rigid PVC Foam Composites Filled with High Aspect Ratio Phlogopite Mica

“…The reinforcement of cell walls with mica provides additional strength and ductility under loading, thus delaying the rupture of the cell walls. This may be due to the lamellar structure of the mica flakes combined with the preferred orientation of the flakes along the cell walls improves the surface bonding with the polymer matrix [10] [13] [16]. The maximum improvement observed in samples with lower mica content may be due to the higher dispersion of the mica flakes in the cell walls which may have resulted in better surface bonding with the polymer phase.…”

Effect of Diatomite Weight Fraction on Morphology, Thermal and Physical Properties of Diatomite Filled High Density Polyethylene Composites

“…Therefore, they are mostly filled with mineral fillers which have higher moduli than polymers to improve their strength, modulus, heat stability and low cost as well [3,4]. Liang et al (2007) studied the mechanical, thermal, and flow properties of HDPE filled with mica, and the results showed that tensile yield strength and tensile break strength increased with increasing weight fraction of the filler. In the same study, heat durability was improved however the melt volume flow rate of HDPE composite decreased with increasing weight fraction of the mica [5].…”

“…Liang et al (2007) studied the mechanical, thermal, and flow properties of HDPE filled with mica, and the results showed that tensile yield strength and tensile break strength increased with increasing weight fraction of the filler. In the same study, heat durability was improved however the melt volume flow rate of HDPE composite decreased with increasing weight fraction of the mica [5]. Karrad et al (1998) studied the effect of talc on the properties of HDPE and HDPE/polystyrene blends [6].…”