Characteristic of low-density polyethylene reinforcement with nano/micro particles of carbon black: a comparative study

Abstract

Purpose: Low density polyethylene is commonly used polymer in the industry because of its unique structure and excellent overall performance. LDPE, is relatively low mechanical properties and thermal stability can sometimes limit its application in industry. Therefore, the development of particulate reinforced polymer composites is one of the highly promising methodologies in the area of next generation engineering products. Design/methodology/approach: Nano and Micro composite from low density polyethylene LDPE reinforced with different weight fraction of carbon black particles (CB) (2, 4 and 8)% prepared by first dispersion Nano and Micro carbon black particles CB in solvent and then mixing manually with low density polyethylene LDPE pellet and blended by twin-screw extruder, the current research study the mechanical properties (tensile strength, elastic modulus,and hardness), FTIR, DSC,and thermal conductivity of prepared nano and micro composites using two methodes and the morphological properties of nano-micro composites. Findings: The tensile strength of the LDPE/CB nano and micro composites improved at 2% and 4%, respectively, and decreasing at 8%, addition of carbon black nanoparticles led to increase the tensile strength of pure low-density polyethylene from 13.536 MPa to 19.71 MPa, and then dropping to 11.03 MPa at 8% percent,while the elastic modulus of LDPE/ CB nano and miro composites shows an improvement with all percentages of CB. The results show that the mechanical properties were improved by the addition carbon black nanoparticles more than addition micro- carbon black . FTIR show that physical interaction between LDPE and carbon black. The thermal conductivity improvement from 0.33 w/m.k for pur LDPE to 0.62234 w/m.k at 2% CB microparticle content and the reduced to 0.18645 w/m.k and 0.34063 w/m.k at (4 and 8)% micro-CB respectively , The thermal conductivity of LDPE-CB nano-composites is low in general than that the LDPE-CB microcomposite. DSC result show improvement in crystallization temperature Tc, melting temperature and degree of crystallization with addition nano and micro carbon black. Morever, SEM images revealed to uniform distribution and good bonding between LDPE and CB at low percentages and the precence of some agglomeration at high CB content.Research limitations/implications: This research studied the characteristics of both nano and micro composite materials prepared by two steps: mixing CB particles with solvent and then prepared by twin extruder which can be used packaging material, but the main limitation was the uniform distribution of nano and micro CB particles within the LDPE matrix. In a further study, prepare a blend from LDPE with other materials and improve the degradation of the blend that used in packaging application. Originality/value: LDPE with nanocomposites are of great interest because of their thermal stability, increased mechanical strength, stiffness, and low gas permeability, among other properties that have made them ideal for applications in the packaging and automotive industries. LDPE reinforcements nano-sized carbon black can have better mechanical and thermal properties than micron, resulting in less material being needed for a given application at a lower cost.