Linear Low-density Polyethylene Research Articles

Study on the Mechanism of Molecular Weight Reduction of Polyethylene Based on Fe-Montmorillonite and Its Potential Application.

The reactions occurring in the oxidative degradation phase during the photo-oxidative degradation of polyethylene (PE) are the factors leading to molecular weight reduction. However, the mechanism of molecular weight reduction before oxidative degradation has not been clarified. The present study aims to investigate the photodegradation of PE/Fe-montmorillonite (Fe-MMT) films, especially molecular weight change. The results show the rate of photo-oxidative degradation of each PE/Fe-MMT film is much faster than that of the pure linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) film. A decrease in the molecular weight of polyethylene was also found in the photodegradation phase. Based on this, it was found that the transfer and coupling of primary alkyl radicals originating from photoinitiation lead to a decrease in the molecular weight of polyethylene, and the kinetic results validate this new mechanism well. This new mechanism is an improvement on the existing mechanism of molecular weight reduction during the photo-oxidative degradation of PE. In addition, Fe-MMT can greatly accelerate the reduction of PE molecular weight into small oxygen-containing molecules as well as induce cracks on the surface of polyethylene films, all of which can accelerate the biodegradation process of polyethylene microplastics. The excellent photodegradation properties of PE/Fe-MMT films will be useful in the design of more environmentally friendly degradable polymers.

Synthesis of silylamine and siloxyamine compounds: A novel approach to flame retardancy of polypropylene and Epoxy resins

A series of innovative flame retardants containing N-Si and N-O-Si bonds have been synthesized. Their chemical structures were verified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and thermal stabilities determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicate that their thermal and hydrolytic stabilities could be adjusted by fine tuning their silylamine (N-Si) and siloxyamine (N-O-Si) skeletons. Thus, the substituents bonded to the phthalimides, such as diphenylmethylsilyl, dimethylphenylsilyl, diphenyl‑tert-butylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl or diphenylmethylsiloxy; whichever was attached to the imide played a significant role on its thermal and hydrolytic properties. Upon thermal dissociation, the N-Si and N-O-Si compounds were shown to yield aminyl, silyl and oxygen-centered radicals that provided fire proofing effect in polypropylene (PP) films alone and a synergistic effect in combination with conventional phosphorous flame retardant in PP, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and epoxy resins (EP). Their efficacy as flame retardants alone in thin PP films were evaluated according to the DIN4102-B2 test. Both N-Si and N-O-Si significantly slowed down the burning of PP films. Moreover, their potential as adjuvants with a conventional phosphorous based flame retardant, i.e., spirocyclic phosphonate (AFLAMMIT® PCO 900) in PP and EP resins was evaluated according to the UL-94 V fire standard. A synergistic effect was observed when the phosphorous flame retardant was combined with either N-Si or N-O-SI containing compounds, since none of the flame retardants by themselves could provide V-0 rating in the UL94-V test in PP, LLDPE or EP resins even at much higher loadings. The thermogravimetric analysis carried out under inert atmosphere revealed enhanced and earlier onset of decomposition and thermal activation of phosphorous based flame retardant in the presence of N-Si or N-O-Si in comparison to spirocyclic phosphonate, N-Si or N-O-Si used alone, respectively. The interaction of the phosphorus flame retardant with N-Si was verified by 31P NMR.

Toughening of linear low-density polyethylene/brominated polystyrene blend by styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene elastomer

Brominated polystyrene (BPS) is blended with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) to improve its fire retardancy for various applications such as wire and cable covering. To improve compatibility and mechanical properties, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) copolymer was added as a compatibilizer. The influence of processing temperature and SEBS elastomer on morphology, interfacial and mechanical properties has been investigated. It was found that melt blending at 230 °C with addition of SEBS elastomer can significantly reduce the BPS particle size to less than 0.5 μm by forming a core-shell structure that enhances the interfacial strength between BPS and LLDPE phases. Addition of 8 phr SEBS elastomer can increase the Izod impact strength at −37 °C by a factor of nearly three, compared to the non-compatibilized LLDPE/BPS system. Double-notch four-point bending (DN-4PB) test reveals that crazing and shear banding are two primary toughening mechanisms for the observed increase in the low temperature impact strength.

Rheological and Thermo-Oxidative Aging Properties of Asphalt Modified with a Combination of Sasobit and Linear Low-Density Polyethylene

Research of different asphalt modifiers has been necessary for the attempt to construct durable roads with higher standards. Fischer Tropsch-paraffin wax (Sasobit) has recently attracted considerable attention over polymer modification due to its capacity to lower the energy requirements for asphaltic mix construction. In this study, Sasobit was used to recover the performance as well as the workability of 3 wt% linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) modified asphalt. A base asphalt binder with a penetration grade of 50/70 was blended with 3 wt% LLDPE and 3 wt% Sasobit separately and then combined with different Sasobit dosages (1–3 wt%). The performance of modified asphalt binders was evaluated using conventional, rheological, and thermal tests. As a result, it was found that loading Sasobit (1–3 wt%) into LLDPE-asphalt mixture steadily decreased the penetration and ductility at 25 °C from 25 to 12 dmm and 31 to 18 cm, respectively, and softening point increased by 20% indicating improved high-temperature performance. The binder workability and mix temperature were improved since the addition of Sasobit reduced the LLDPE-asphalt viscosity from 0.292 to 0.189 Pa.s (22% less). Sasobit improved the thermo-oxidative aging resistance of the binder by showing less weight variation (less than 0.001%) after the Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test (RTFOT) and high ductility retention (65%). Thermogravimetry (TG) and kinetics analysis results indicated that Sasobit-LLDPE delayed the initial and maximum decomposition temperature by 11 °C and hence increased the thermal stability of modified binders. Thus, the proposed binders are a suitable solution for asphalt pavement construction in regions that encounter high-temperature changes.

Mechanical Degradation of Polyethylene Plastic Film by Oxo-Degradable Additives

Utilizing oxo-degradable additives is an alternate, efficient method of managing plastic trash. To prepare the polymer chain for microorganisms to break down the fragments over time, oxo-degradation of plastics involves breaking the chain into small pieces. In this study, a film with a thickness of 35 µm is created by mixing a mixture of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and d2w grade master batch (pro-oxidant). This thickness falls within the range of specifications for linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) films manufactured in petrochemical businesses. Additionally, is the study investigates how the mechanical characteristics of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) are affected by the addition of a d2w pro-oxidant additive at five different weight percentages (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3% w/w). After thermal processing for films in an oven for one to seven days, the progress of LLDPE film is monitored by FTIR analysis to check for the presence of the carbonyl group by assessing the mechanical properties of the film. Tensile strength at break, tensile strength at yield, elongation at break, and elongation at yield are the mechanical qualities that are measured. Both the machine direction (MD) and the transverse direction (TD) are used to measure all properties. Following seven days of exposure to the oven at 70 °C, the mechanical properties of the film deteriorated. Both in the machine and transverse directions (MD and TD), the tensile strength at break dropped by 46.62% and 31.8%, respectively. Both in the machine and transverse directions (MD and TD), the tensile strength at yield dropped by 22% and 36.36%, respectively. Both machine and transverse elongation at break (MD and TD) were reduced by 21% and 38.36%, respectively. Following the addition of pro-oxidant and after thermo-oxidative treatment in an oven at 70 °C for 7 days, the results of the FTIR measurement for LLDPE did not significantly alter.

Rheological characterization of linear low‐density polyethylene–Fischer–Tropsch wax blends

AbstractThe thermal and rheological behavior of blends of a Fischer–Tropsch (F‐T) wax with linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and cone‐and‐plate rheometry. F‐T wax is used as a possible low‐cost processing aid alternative for LLDPE masterbatch applications. The melting‐ and crystallization thermograms indicated a two‐phase solid‐state morphology and full compatibility in the fully molten material. Both the high‐melting and low‐melting phase contained co‐crystalized wax and polymer. Rheological data of F‐T wax‐LLDPE blends over the full composition range was also obtained. The zero‐shear viscosity data was adequately predicted by the Friedman and Porter mixing rule: with α = 3.4. This implies that the melt viscosity is dominated by the effects of polymer chain entanglement and that the main consequence of adding the wax is to reduce the concentration of the polymer present. The complex viscosity also fitted this model albeit with α = 4.81. All Han plots, that is, plots of the logarithm of the storage modulus (G') against the logarithm of the loss modulus (G"), were linear. Within the experimental uncertainty, they were essentially unaffected by variations in blend composition, temperature and the applied angular frequency. Additionally, Cole–Cole plots were also in agreement that wax‐LLDPE blends are miscible at melt state. This supports full miscibility of the F‐T wax‐LLDPE blend system down to temperatures as low as 120°C.

Influence of E‐beam irradiation on compounds from linear low density polyethylene and thermoplastic vulcanized rubber consisting of a polypropylene and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber phase

AbstractLinear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) crosslinks under irradiation in the range of up to 250 kGy. Crosslinking leads to better chemical and thermal resistance but causes reduction in mechanical performance. To counter this reduction, compounds of LLDPE with thermoplastic elastomers (TPV) were made. Specimens were irradiated with doses reaching from 99 to 231 kGy. Gel content shows a decrease of around 12% for compounds with 20 wt% of TPV compared to pure LLDPE. It is also found that compounds containing 10 wt% TPV experience a 4% higher gel content than predicted. For higher amounts of TPV elongation at break increases from 689% for pure LLDPE to 769% and tensile strength decreases from 31.9 to 30.5 MPa. Under irradiation, a trend to lower elongations and tensile strengths is observed. Elongation at break decreased around 200% and tensile strength around 5 MPa under irradiation. Thermal analysis of TPV showed that while the melting temperature decreases, its crystallinity first rises for doses up to 165 kGy before decreasing. Infrared spectroscopy was used to identify changes in the chemical structure, where evidence of surface oxidation under irradiation is found for all compounds with LLDPE.

Thermal and Morphological Analysis of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Composites Containing d-limonene/β-cyclodextrin for Active Food Packaging.

Composites made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and β-cyclodextrin/d-limonene inclusion complex (CD-lim) were prepared by melt extrusion to develop a novel food packaging material. Scanning electron microscopy evidenced a fairly good dispersion of the filler within the polymeric matrix. Infrared spectroscopy coupled with thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the presence of CD-lim in the composites, proving that the applied technology of including the essential oil within β-CD cages allows for preventing a sizable loss of d-limonene despite a high temperature and shear applied upon extrusion processing. Moreover, the influence of the filler on the thermal properties of PE was assessed. It was found that the cyclodextrin-based inclusion complex significantly fastens the crystallization path of the polyethylene matrix with an improved crystallization rate of the PE/CD-lim composites compared to the neat polymer.

Critical insights into ethylene‐1‐alkene copolymers and long‐chain branched polyethylene microstructure on thermo‐rheological and sealing behavior of multicomponent systems

AbstractThe microstructure‐property relationships in multicomponent ethylene‐1‐alkene copolymers with different branching in the microstructures are demonstrated. The metallocene catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE), was miscible with both autoclave grade low density polyethylene (LDPE‐A) and/or tubular grade low density polyethylene (LDPE‐T). For these multicomponent systems, the rheological response was distinctly differentiating and sensitive to the microstructure of LDPE, at higher shear regimes. The thicker lamellae of LDPE‐T and/or LDPE‐A might co‐crystallize if there is a high density polyethylene‐like fraction present in the mLLDPE. Even though the macro parameters like density and melt index (MI) of the investigated multicomponent systems are comparable, the subtle differences in the microstructure manifested by type and distribution of comonomer and/or branching affected the sealing performance. Both high comonomer content and comonomer distribution in the mLLDPE matrix affording a higher fraction of material melting below 120°C were found to be critical for the heat sealing. The fraction of material melting at lower temperatures, attributed to the tertiary branches present in the hyper‐branched microstructure of LDPE‐A, participate in the sealing process, and lower the sealing temperature. It was evident that mLLDPE with asymmetric distribution of lamellae is more sensitive to the microstructure of the LDPE used.

Compatibility of mesophase pitch and linear low-density polyethylene for low-cost carbon fiber

Compatibility of mesophase pitch and linear low-density polyethylene for low-cost carbon fiber

A Systematic Investigation on the Influence of Intumescent Flame Retardants on the Properties of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)/Liner Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Blends.

Because of their high filler loadings, commercial-grade clean flame-retardant materials have unstable mechanical properties. To address this issue, intumescent polymers can be used to develop clean flame retardants with very low levels of smoke and toxicity generation. An intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system composed of red phosphorus (RP), zinc borate (ZB), and a terpolymer of ethylene, butyl acrylate, and maleic anhydride (EBM) was used to prepare EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) and EVA/LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) composites; their mechanical and flammability properties were systematically investigated. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the EVA/LLDPE (as base material) composite containing RP and ZB mixed with nonhalogenated flame retardant, mainly magnesium hydroxide (MH) and coadditives, including processing aids and thermal stabilizers, was established. RP was found to have little effect on the tensile properties of EVA/LLDPE 118W/120 phr flame-retardant (MH + RP) composites. There was a minute difference in the effective trend of RP between tensile strength and elongation at break. Following the addition of ZB, the elongation at break of the composites gradually decreased with increasing RP content and then leveled off when the RP content was over 10 phr. Mechanical properties (elongation at break and tensile strength) can be best maintained at below 10 phr content of RP. The mechanical properties decreased with lower amounts of EBM content. In addition, flame retardancy increased when the EBM content decreased. The findings further revealed that MH and RP have poor compatibility, yielding poor mechanical properties. The LOI greatly increased with RP content, even though the total content of flame retardants (main + intumescent flame retardant) was the same in all formulations. Only over 5 phr RP content formulations passed V-0 of the UL-94 test. When under 5 phr, the RP content formulations did not pass V-0 of the UL-94 test.

Effects of LLDPE on Mechanical Properties, Degradation Performance, and Water Absorption of Thermoplastic Sago Starch Blends

The purpose of this study was to improve the mechanical and physical properties, degradation performance, and water absorption of a thermoplastic mixture of sago starch with the addition of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). The method used is the grafting method where polyethylene is grafted onto Maleic Anhydride (LLDPE-g-MA). In this research, Thermoplastics Sago Starch (TPSS) was made with a mixture of Sago Starch (65%) and Glycerol (35%), added with water as a solution. Compatibilizer (PE-g-MA) was made by reacting LLDPE (88%) and Maleate Anhydride (9%) with an additional initiator of Benzoyl Peroxide (3%). The concentration of LLDPE varied from 10,15, 20, 25, and 30%. Substances were mixed into an internal mixer Thermo Haake Polydrive with a speed of 100

Influence of modifiers on rheological properties and thermal stability of chalk-filled HDPE melts

The rheological properties of compositions based on HDPE with the addition of chalk concentrate and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), as well as the thermal stability of the investigated compositions, were studied by capillary viscometry and DSC. It is shown that the introduction of chalk concentrate with chalk content of 80 wt.% into HDPE sharply reduced the compositions thermal stability and changed the compositions flow character. The addition of LLDPE to chalk-filled HDPE resulted in a decrease in the effective viscosity and an increase in the thermal stability of the compositions.

The Effect of Oleic Acid-Grafted Linear Low-Density Polyethylene as Compatibilizer on the Properties of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene/Cyclic Natural Rubber Blends

In this paper, we report that the compatibility of polymer blends between linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and cyclic natural rubber (CNR) can be increased by the addition of oleic acid-grafted linear low-density polyethylene. The research aims to investigate the effect of LLDPE-g-OA compatibilizer in LLDPE/CNR blends on improving the mechanical properties and characteristics of the blends. The LLDPE/CNR/LLDPE-g-OA blends (compatible blends) were prepared by blending methods in the molten phase using an internal mixer set at a temperature of 160oC with a rotation speed of 100 rpm. The LLDPE pellets were inserted into it until melts and followed with an addition of CNR and LLDPE-g-OA. The tensile strength test results have shown an increase in mechanical properties after the addition of the compatibilizer with a maximum content of 4 wt%. The difference in FTIR spectra of compatible blends is indicated by the presence of C=C bonds from CNR, which appear at 1654.9 cm-1, indicating the occurrence of physical bonds in the blends. The existence of the LLDPE-g-OA compatibilizer has increased the thermal stability of the polymer blends and changes in the melting point temperature of 1240C. Compatible blends showed that the surface morphology was smoother, and there were significant microstructural changes compared to incompatible blends.

A rheology and processing study on controlling material and process defects in polymer melt extrusion film casting using polymer blends

The primary objective of this research paper is to control the material and process defects in polymer melt extrusion film casting (EFC) process for linear chain architecture polyethylene (PE) resins through polymer blending methodology. Extrusion film casting is a well-known industrially important manufacturing process that is used to manufacture thousands of tons of polymer/plastic films/sheets and coated products. In this research, the necking defect in an EFC process has been studied experimentally for a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) resin and attempts have been made to control its necking by blending in a long chain branched (LCB) low density polyethylene (LDPE) resin. The blending methodology is based on the understanding that a LDPE resin displays enhanced resistance to necking as compared to the LLDPE resin. It is found that added LDPE resin enhances necking resistance for the primary LLDPE resin. Further, as the LDPE concentration increases in the blend formulation, the necking is further reduced as compared to pure LLDPE. Analogous to past studies on EFC of linear and long chain branched architecture containing PEs, it is observed that as the LDPE is increased in the blend formulations, the formulations displayed enhanced melt elasticity and extensional strain hardening in rheological studies. It is concluded from this study that polyethylene resins having linear chain architecture can be made amenable to enhanced resistance to necking using appropriate amount of a long chain branched resins. Finally, process defects such as the draw resonance onset could be shifted to higher draw ratios as the LDPE level is increased in the LLDPE-LDPE blend formulation.

Rheological studies of molecular effect and processing conditions on blown film property of polyethylenes

Statistically designed blown film experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of molecular weight distribution and processing conditions on film properties of three linear low-density polyethylenes in term of their rheological characteristics. The complex interactions between molecular and processing parameters to film properties can be understood rheologically by relating the ratio of polymer largest molecular relaxation time, τmax, to a process time, tp. When represented in term of the rescaled processing time, τmax/tp, namely as Deborah Number (De), a master curve is obtained for the physical properties of these films blown under similar processing condition, while the variations of processing conditions on film properties can be characterised by families of De master-curves. The influence of complex thermo-mechanical deformation history on crystallisation during blown film processing can be highlighted with complementary pre-shear flow stress relaxation and flow-induced crystallisation experiments by Small Angle Light Scattering patterns.

Crystallization, Phase and Mechanical Behaviors of Linear Low Density Polyethylene/Thermoplastic Polyolefin Elastomer Blends

Blending polyethylene with thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers (TPOs) is a promising way to manipulate its structures and tailor its properties. Herein, three TPOs, i.e., two ethylene–octene copolymers (EOCs) and an olefin block copolymer (OBC) with different structures, were used to comparatively investigate the miscibility, crystallization, and phase behavior of their blends with a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). It was found that large differences occurred in the crystallization and phase behaviors of the blends due to the different extent of similarity in the molecular structure between the TPO and the LLDPE matrix. In particular, a unique segregated phase morphology comprised a less stable crystalline phase and a rubbery phase was found in an LLDPE/EOC blend. The tensile performance and elasticity of the blends were also studied and correlated with the structures of the blends. This work not only provides novel results on the miscibility and phase behavior of the similar-structured LLDPE/TPO blends, but can also guide the design of LLDPE-based products with tailored performances.

The role of packaging on the flavor of fluid milk.

Few studies have addressed the effects of package material in the absence of light on contributions to fluid milk flavor. The objective of this study was to compare the sensory and chemical properties of fluid milk packaged in paperboard cartons, low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and glass. Pasteurized (high temperature short time, 77°C for 25 s) skim and whole milk were filled (280 mL ± 10 mL) into paperboard cartons, low-density polyethylene, HDPE, PET, LLDPE, and glass (control). Milks were stored at 4°C in the dark and sampled at d 0, 5, 10, and 15. Descriptive analysis was applied to document sensory profiles at each time point, and volatile compounds were extracted and identified by solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatography mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-olfactometry. Tetrad tests with consumers were conducted at d 10. Both skim and whole milks packaged in cartons had noticeable paperboard flavor by d 5 and higher levels of hexanal than skim and whole milks in other package types at d 5. Skim milks packaged in paperboard cartons and LLDPE had distinct refrigerator/stale flavor compared with milks in the other package types, concurrent with increased levels of refrigerator/package-related compounds including styrene, acetophenone and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. Milks packaged in glass, PET and HDPE were not distinguished by consumers at d 10 post-processing. Package type influences fluid milk flavor, and these effects are greater in skim milk compared with whole milk. Paperboard cartons do not preserve milk freshness, as well as PET, HDPE, or glass, due to flavor migration and scalping. Glass remains an ideal barrier to preserve fluid milk flavor, but in the absence of light, HDPE and PET provide additional benefits while also maintaining fluid milk flavor.

Expert studies of ethylene copolymers by IR-spectroscopy using chemometric algorithms

The article is devoted to the development of a technique for separation of low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene with the mass fraction of olefin link not exceeding 5 %, copolymers of ethylene with alpha-olefins containing more than 5 % but less than 50 % of the latter, as well as determining type of the alpha-olefin unit and its content in these products. Since the existing technique for determining type of the olefin unit and its content does not always allow determining the type and amount of the co-monomer olefin unit in ethylene copolymers using the spectroscopy method, it is necessary to analyze such products on NMR spectrometers, expensive instruments, measurements on which are laborious and take considerable time. A technique based on a combination of infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics was developed in order to reduce the time for customs examinations for verifying reliability of the declaration of ethylene polymers. This technique allows separating low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) (copolymers of ethylene with butene, hexene, octene with the mass fraction of olefin below 5 %), copolymers of ethylene with propylene, copolymers of ethylene with propylene and diene (EPDM), copolymers of ethylene with olefins: butene, hexene, octene with the mass fraction of the latter above 5 %, but below 50 %, as well as to determine type of the olefin unit and its content in these copolymers. The essence of this technique lies in the possibility of processing the obtained spectral data using chemometric algorithms: independent modeling of classes, discriminant analysis of projections on latent structures, discriminant analysis using regression on latent structures.

Development of a Novel Extrusion Process for Preparing Rice Straw/LLDPE Composites

Straw utilization is a key issue related to agricultural production and air pollution control. In this study, a novel extrusion process was proposed to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the straw-reinforced linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) composite. Instead of crushing the straw and mixing it with plastic matrix, the new method mixes straw with plastic matrix in its original form. The intact long rice straws were parallelly spread on the LLDPE film and then rolled up together into a prefabricated roll. The rolls experienced three extrusion processes as follows: (1) twin-screw melting, cooling and crushing, single-screw extruding; (2) twin-screw melting and single-screw extruding; (3) directly single-screw extruding. The testing results showed that the straw/LLDPE composite (with a ratio of 6:4) prepared by Method (2) exhibited optimized properties. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy indicated that the damage to rice straw fibers was relatively minor, the orientation of long fibers was good, and the binding of fibers with the LLDPE matrix was excellent in this case. The results of dynamic mechanical testing (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis demonstrated that composites prepared by the new process exhibited significantly improved thermal stability and energy storage modulus, compared with those prepared by conventional processes (e.g., extruded straw particles/LLDPE composite). The new proposed method yielded significantly enhanced mechanical properties while reducing dust pollution.