Abstract
A series of highly filled polyethylene (PE) composites in which the calcium carbonate content was as high as 50–75 wt% was prepared by co‐rotating conical twin‐screw extrusion (Co‐RCE). The effects of Co‐RCE processing and CaCO3 content on the morphology, structure, and properties were investigated in detail. The results indicated that the Co‐RCE processing improved the filler dispersion and thereby enhanced the melt processability of the blends. Observation by polarized light microscopy and analysis by differential scanning calorimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction showed that the crystallinity of PE decreased with the increase of CaCO3 content. In comparison with neat PE, an increase of up to 20oC in onset weight loss temperature was observed in the CaCO3‐filled PE composites, as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. Tensile tests indicated that the elongation at break of the highly CaCO3‐filled PE composites was much higher than that of the neat PE. Meanwhile, the highly filled composites still exhibited superior tensile strength. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:108–115, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.