The Strength and Thermal Stability of Low-Density Polyethylene Grafted Maleic Anhydride/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Abstract

In the field of polymer materials at present, polymer/layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposites are very prevailing in basic research or development for industries, among them montmorillonite (MMT) has the most significant applied value. In this study, various contents of organic/inorganic nanocomposites of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix which was filled with MMT nano-filler (low-density polyethylene/montmorillonite (LDPE/MMT), and low-density polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride/montmorillonite (LDPE-g-MA/MMT)) were investigated experimentally. Properties of strength and thermal stability of LDPE/MMT and LDPE-g-MA/MMT nanocomposites research were carried out. Firstly, different raw materials LDPE/MMT and LDPE-g-MA/MMT nanocomposites were fabricated via twin-screw extruder, and then the test specimens were produced by an injection machine in accordance with the test norms. Furthermore, the main analytical tests were tensile test, impact test, bending test, hardness test, DSC analysis, TGA analysis and SEM microstructure observed. The increasing mechanical properties were found to have certainly improved after the proper MMT and MA grafted were added. In addition, in DSC test, the Tm and enthalpy of LDPE-g-MA group was also lower relatively. In TGA test, it is apparent that dispersion degree and thermal stability are increased because the presence of the MA grafted. Finally, in SEM microstructure observation, it was showed that the structure of LDPE-g-MA group appears looser structure than the structure of LDPE group so it is easy for MMT to embed and disperse uniformly in the structure of LDPE-g-MA group.