Effect of Graphene on Mechanical and Flowability Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene Composites

Abstract

Abstract The logical outline and assembly of structural–functional materials are progressive tendencies of materials knowledge. In this study, it was found that the homogenous graphene (Gr) spread in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) considerably increases the mechanical properties of LDPE/Gr composites. The high specific surface areas and superior properties of Gr improved thermal strength, conductivity, storage modulus, and mechanical properties of composites. Results display that the inclusion of Gr (0–3 wt.%) and frequency growth enhanced the viscosity, loss modulus, and storage modulus of LDPE/Gr composites significantly. The addition of Gr also augmented the Young’s modulus, Young’s strength, tensile modulus, and elongation modulus, but the tensile strength values of LDPE/Gr composites have not changed significantly. The elongation test displayed reduction values with further addition of Gr in LDPE/Gr composites. The effect of temperature rise caused the decrease in the storage modulus with Gr addition; however, further inclusion of Gr mitigated the trend of storage modulus reduction of the composites considerably. This study also presents that Gr inclusion leads to limit polymer chain mobility, which reduces maximum strain and increases the melt flow indexes during material processing.