Abstract
In this paper, the influence of calcium carbonate and slip agent on linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE) processed by rotational molding was evaluated. LMDPE was dry blended with different CaCO3 masterbatch ratios, erucamide slip agent and then extruded, micronized and rotomolded. The powder samples were characterized using MFI (Melting flow index), dry flow and bulk density. The characterization of rotomolded samples properties was performed by DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry), microscopy analysis, izod impact and tensile test. The results pointed out that the CaCO3 addition modifies the bulk density compared to neat LMDPE, but did not significantly affect the dry flow and MFI. The erucamide addition decreased the dry flow and increased the bulk densities. The porosity degree data showed that CaCO3 addition in the LMDPE increased the quantity of pores. The DSC results showed no significant difference in the crystallinity degree. The behavior of porosity led to a decrease in the mechanical properties of LMDPE with the CaCO3 addition.
Highlights
Rotational molding is a method for manufacturing hollow or open plastic articles in many different shapes and sizes
Powder dry flow properties are important during rotational molding as they determine how the polymer distributes itself within the mold and how well the polymer melt flows into complex shapes[24]
Powder dry flow properties are important during rotational molding as they determine how the polymer distributes itself within the mold and how well the polymer melt flows into complex shapes[17]
Summary
Rotational molding is a method for manufacturing hollow or open plastic articles in many different shapes and sizes. Studies related to the addition of fillers in polymers for rotational molding , such as glass fibers, natural fibers, graphite and calcium carbonate has been evaluated because it is a fast and cheap method to modify the properties of the matrix material[4,9,10,11,12,13]. Density Polyethylene Processed by Rotational Molding or slip agents These additives reduce the viscosity of the matrix and prevent the fillers from forming cluster or network, besides improving processing, the characteristics of the surface and the final properties and lifetime of polymer materials[17,18,19]. The present contribution focuses on evaluate the influence of calcium carbonate with and without slip agent on the porosity and mechanical properties of the linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE) processed by rotational molding
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