Effect of Maleated Polyethylene on the Rheological Properties of LLDPE/Clay Nanocomposites

Abstract

Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)/20A composites were prepared by adding a moderate amount of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MA-g-PE). The dispersion of the modified montmorillonite (20A) in LLDPE matrix depended on the amount of MA-g-PE. When the content of MA-g-PE was higher than 15 wt %, the exfoliated nanocomposite was obtained. The nanocomposites of adding a MA-g-PE showed unusual rheological properties such as high shear thinning tendency and elastic property. These effects were confirmed by an oscillatory viscometer. The wavy melt fracture occurred at 8720 s−1 for the LLDPE/20A composite but occurred at 10500 s−1 for LLDPE/20A composites containing 15 wt % MA-g-PE. The MA-g-PE modified LLDPE/clay composite could be less sensitive to melt fracture because the composite has a high elastic property to resist elongational stress when leaving the die.