Hollow glass microsphere HDPE composites for low energy sustainability

Abstract

The thermal and mechanical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) can be tailored by using hollow glass microspheres with high crushing strength and low thermal conductivity. In the present study dealing with hollow glass microsphere filled polymers, the results show that sodium borosilicate hollow glass microspheres (HGM) remain intact in HDPE matrix with no sign of crushing during the compounding and injection molding operation. The resultant composites have low thermal conductivity. While polyethylene- graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH) used as compatibilizer has a positive impact on some of the mechanical properties, its use does not significantly alter the thermal conductivity of the HGM HDPE composite. Also, the matrix to reinforcement load transfer capability in HGM HDPE composite was found to be insensitive to HGM content and use of compatibilizer.