Polyethylene/sepiolite clay nanocomposites: Effect of clay content, compatibilizer polarity, and molar mass on viscoelastic and dynamic mechanical properties

Abstract

In this work, high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based nanocomposites having different concentrations of Sepiolite (1-10 wt %) and compatibilizer, that is, PE-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) of varying molecular weight and maleic anhydride content were prepared by melt compounding. The influence of Sepiolite amount and compatibilizer polarity and molar mass on the crystallization behavior [differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)], rheological properties (oscillatory rheometer) and dimensional stability [dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and heat deflection temperature (HDT)] of the nanocomposites was investigated. It was found that Sepiolite did not affect the crystallization behavior of HDPE. The rheological results show that the incorporation of Sepiolite into HDPE matrix up to 10 wt % increases the complex viscosity of polymer. Storage modulus and loss modulus both in oscillatory rheometry and in DMA were highest for nanocomposite prepared using 10 wt % Sepiolite owing to the improved mechanical restrain by the dispersed phase. In the presence of compatibilizer, the values of storage modulus and loss modulus were lower as compared to uncompatibilized nanocomposites at same loading of Sepiolite. The reduction in modulus is more pronounced in composites prepared using compatibilizer of lower molar mass as compared to those prepared using higher molar mass compatibilizer.

Effect of filler particle shape on plastic-elastic mechanical behavior of high density poly(ethylene)/mica and poly(ethylene)/wollastonite composites

“…In general, semi-crystalline polymers such as HDPE are regarded as a three-phase continuum composed of an amorphous phase, a crystalline phase, and an inter-phase. The crystalline skeleton is formed by mutually connected spherulites, each of them consist of a number of crystalline lamellae with an amorphous phase located in between the crystallites and lamellae [5,[20][21][22].…”

Preparation and Properties of Solution Cast Films From Pennycress Protein Isolate

“…a. The resistance to distortion under a given load can be used to define the heat deflection temperature (Singh, Vimal, Sharma, Kapur, & Choudhary, ). The PPI film containing 30% GLY quickly lengthens above 75 °C (Fig.…”

Possible Use of Sepiolite as Alternative Filler for Natural Rubber

“…The peak observed was dissimilar to the literatures [16][17][18] , where it was mostly found at 2θ values of 7.3 -8.5°, corresponding to the to d 110 basal spacing. However, Singh et al 19 , has reported that the shifting of such peak may be presented if the sepiolite is heated at the temperature over 550°C. This may be possible as the sepiolite obtained was heated prior during mining process.…”

“…Apart from that, the peak intensity at 10.4° was more intense as increased the addition of sepiolite. This is associated to the higher amount of sepiolite which controls the crystal peak of sepiolite 19,20 . Figure 4 illustrates the curing curves of the sepiolite filled NR composites whereas the raw data obtained from the curing curves are also listed in Table 4.…”