Neat High Density Polyethylene Research Articles

High Density Polyethylene/Date Palm Fiber Composites: Effect of Fiber Loadings on the Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Properties

The increasing environmental issues has resulted in the trend of the use of renewable or natural source (green) fillers in the polymer composites fabrication. Among these green fillers is called natural fibers or plant fibers. One particular plant fibers that became the topic of the present work is date palm fiber (DPF). In the present work, DPF at different loadings (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 wt%) were incorporated (as fillers) in the high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix to fabricate HDPE/DPF composites. Further, we have investigated the effect of DPF loadings on the dynamic mechanical thermal properties of the composites. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) results exhibited that the storage modulus of the composites increased with increasing DPF loadings. Additionally, all the storage modulus values of the composites were higher than the neat HDPE in all temperature ranges. For example, at temperature of 60°C, the storage modulus enhancement of the composites as compared to the neat HDPE were about 26, 76, 134, and 225% for 5, 10, 20, 30 wt% of DPF loadings, respectively. Additionally, the relationship between the DPF loadings (wt%) and temperature (°C) on the storage modulus of the HDPE/DPF composites was modeled using a logarithmic equation. Based on the data plotting between the experimental data and modeled data, the logarithmic equation was found to be fitted with the experimental data satisfactory.

Effect of Natural Macromolecule Filler on the Properties of High‐Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

This study investigates the thermal and viscoelastic properties of High‐Density Polyethylene (HDPE) filled with the natural macromolecule, asphaltene, with different loading ratios. The thermal and viscoelastic properties of the composites are studied using DSC, WAXD and other mechanical techniques. The addition of 2.5 wt% asphaltenes presents a slightly higher degree of crystallinity compared to pristine HDPE. The addition of asphaltenes does not seem to alter significantly the mechanical tensile properties of the material, while only the composite with 2.5 wt% found to have improved tensile and yield strength. Specifically, the initial thermal degradation temperature increases by almost 40 °C as it came from TGA measurements where degradation of the composites shifted to higher values. In addition, the thermal degradation activation energy of HDPE and the composites is estimated assuming a first order kinetic model. The activation energy of neat HDPE is estimated to be 287 kJ mol−1, whereas that of the above‐mentioned composites significantly increases. This is another indication that the addition of asphaltenes into HDPE serve as a thermal barrier delaying the kinetics of the thermal degradation of the material. Inclusion of large amount of asphaltenes (i.e., 15%) results in a material presenting thermal degradation similar to pristine HDPE, with lower activation energy. Overall, from this study it comes that the optimum amount of asphaltenes that could be added to HDPE is around 2.5 wt% resulting in the best dispersion in the polymeric matrix, larger crystallite size, higher relative degree of crystallinity, somehow improves mechanical tensile properties and significantly enhances thermal stability.

IMPROVED SOME PROPERTIES OF HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE SYNTHESIS USING FIBER GLASS FOR PIPES AND RESERVOIRS APPLICATIONS

In this paper, the effect of surface modification of short glass fiber on some properties ofhigh-density polyethylene composite was investigated. The chemical treatment of short glassfiber (SGF) with solvent ethanol was achieved, and composites with weight fraction (0.5, 2.5,4wt. %) were fabricated. Mechanical behavior tests include (tensile strength, impact, andhardness tests) and structure test (FTIR) were used. Values of mechanical tests for treatedshort glass fiber – reinforced High density polyethylene composites were much better thanthe neat high density polyethylene. The tensile strength value of composite from (37 to 41MPa), impact strength from (83 J/m² to 100 J/m²), and hardness from (64 to 86 N/m²). Resultof FTIR test showed physical reaction without the formation of new peaks.

Effect of Date Palm Fiber Loadings on the Mechanical Properties of High Density Polyethylene/Date Palm Fiber Composites

The trend of using natural fibers as green filler in the fabrication of polymer composites is increasing. One of these natural fibers is date palm fiber (DPF). Date palm fiber is considered as agricultural waste in certain areas, such as Middle East countries. Therefore, the utilization of this fiber in the composites fabrication is an interesting topic of research. In the current study, composites were prepared by melt blending DPF with high density polyethylene (HDPE). Five different DPF loadings were studied (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 wt%). The effect of the DPF loadings on the mechanical properties and water absorption behavior of the composites were investigated. The tensile test result showed that tensile strengths of all the composites samples were all higher than the neat HDPE with the maximum improvement was achieved at the DPF loading of 5 wt% (i.e. DFC-5), which was about 19.23 MPa (138% higher than the neat HDPE). Whereas, the flexural test result showed that the flexural strength of the composites slightly increased compared to that of the neat HDPE only until 5 wt% DPF loading (i.e. DFC-5). Afterward, the flexural strength of the DFC-10 was equal to that of the neat HDPE, and decreasing with further increase of DPF loadings. Additionally, the water absorption test result showed that the water absorption rate and uptake of water (at equilibrium) increased with the increase of DPF loading.

Date Palm Fiber Reinforced High Density Polyethylene Composites: Effect of Fiber Loadings on the Melt Rheological Behavior

In the recent years, the trend of using renewable source (green) fillers in the composites fabrication is increasing. One of these green fillers is natural fibers, which referred to the plant fibers, such as date palm fiber (DPF). In the present work, high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/DPF composites have been prepared. Four different DPF loadings were used (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 20 wt%) to prepare the composites. The effect of DPF loadings on the melt rheological behavior of the HDPE/DPF composites were studied. The melt rheological test results showed that both of storage modulus (Gʹ) and loss modulus (Gʺ) increased with the increase of DPF loadings. Additionally, the Han plot showed an upward shift from neat HDPE (i.e. DFC-0) to DFC-20, which indicated that the melt rheological properties changed with the increase of DPF loadings. The complex viscosity |h*| of the composites samples also increased with the increase of DPF loadings. The increased was more significant at higher DPF loadings (i.e. DFC-20). Meanwhile, the Carreau-Yasuda model was found to be well fitted with the experimental data.

Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Fiber Reinforced High Density Poly(Ethylene) Composites: Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis

In the present work, high density polyethylene (HDPE)/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fiber composites with four different PVA fiber loadings (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 20 wt%) have been prepared via melt compounding method using a twin-screw extruder. The composites were characterized for their morphology by using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Whereas, the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was carried out by using an oscillatory rheometer. The DMTA test was carried out under torsion mode using temperature sweep test on rectangular composites samples. The DMTA results showed that the storage modulus (G¢) of the composites were higher than that of the neat HDPE and increased with increasing PVA fiber loadings. This indicated that there was a considerable stiffness enhancement of the composites. For example, at temperature of 60°C, the increases of stiffness (i.e. storage modulus) of the composites were approximately 3, 31, and 54% for PVAC-5, 10, and 20, respectively. Whereas, at higher temperature (i.e. 120°C), the increases were about 4, 50, and 98% for PVAC-5, 10, and 20, respectively. These results indicated that even at higher temperatures, the enhancement of storage modulus of the composites was still high.

Tuning of HDPE Properties for 3D Printing

The objective of this study is to improve high density polyethylene (HDPE) properties for 3D printing by addition of graphene and low density polyethylene (LDPE). Graphene was prepared by modified Hummer’s method. The prepared graphene was characterized by the infrared spectroscopy and the X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Graphene/HDPE and LDPE/HDPE composites were successfully prepared through the melt-blending technique using a twin-screw extruder. The melt flow index (MFI) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to characterize neat HDPE and the modified HDPE. FTIR and XRD results show that graphite was successfully changed into graphene completely and MFI of graphene/HDPE and LDPE/HDPE decreased as the amount of graphene and LDPE in the composite blends increased. DSC results show that the addition of low crystalline polymers can reduce a crystallization temperature and crystallinity content.

Numerical analysis of wood-high-density polyethylene composites: A hyperelastic approach

The application of a hyperelastic approach to simulate the tensile mechanical behavior of wood fiber/polymer composites is proposed. This research was conducted with the purpose of selecting the theoretical model that best fits the experimental data for use in the finite element model. The analyses by the four strain energy density functions (Polynomial, Ogden, Yeoh, and Marlow models) and the Cauchy-Green tensor invariants were used as the theoretical models. The experimental mechanical behavior of three wood fiber/polymer composites formulated with high-density polyethylene as the polymer matrix, and pine, cherry, and walnut sawdust as the fillers, at a concentration of 40 wt%, was evaluated. Experimental data showed that with filler addition, the tensile modulus of the high-density polyethylene matrix increased almost 131% regarding the neat high-density polyethylene; however, no significant differences were found respecting the kind of sawdust. Nevertheless, it was found that the elongation (%) at break was higher when walnut sawdust was employed. As for the strain energy density function analyses, the best approximation to the experimental data was achieved by the Marlow model, because this model only demands the sum of the principal extension ratios for a polymer-based material, I1. The numerical results showed that the proposed finite element model predicts the response with less than 1% error, regarding the experimental data, and consequently the use of the finite element models was simplified for the prediction of the tensile mechanical behavior of this kind of composites.

Quasi-static compressive response of compression molded glass microballoon/HDPE syntactic foam

Abstract Quasi-static compressive behavior of different density glass microballoon (GMB) reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) syntactic foams are investigated in the present work. Reducing the weight of thermoplastic components has been always a high priority in transportation, aerospace, consumer products and underwater vehicle structures. Despite continued interest in developing lightweight thermoplastic syntactic foams, they have not been studied extensively for quasi-static response with focus on wall thickness and volume fraction variations. Compression molded GMB/HDPE sheets are subjected to 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 s−1 strain rates. Compressive modulus of foams is higher compared to neat HDPE. Increasing strain rates and decreasing filler content increases yield strength for all the foams investigated compared to neat HDPE. Yield strain and energy absorption of GMB/HDPE foams increases with an increasing strain rate and wall thickness. Specific modulus and strength of GMB/HDPE foams are superior and are comparable to neat HDPE. GMB/HDPE foam achieved high stiffness to weight ratio making them suitable for wide variety of applications. Theoretical model based on differential scheme predicts a good estimate of elastic modulus for all the type of GMB/HDPE foams. Finally, property map is exhibited to present comparative studies with existing literature.

Thermal properties of polyethylene reinforced with recycled–poly (ethylene terephthalate) flakes.

In this study, recycled plastic bottles (RPET) were used as a filler in high density polyethylene (HDPE) thermoplastic. The plastic sheet of RPET/HDPE was prepared by using hot and cold press machine. The effects of RPET addition and hot press process to the thermal properties of the composite RPET/HDPE were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TGA). Results from DSC analysis show that the melting point of HDPE slightly shifted to a higher temperature for about 2°C to 4°C with the addition of RPET as a filler. The starting degradation temperature of RPET/HDPE composite examined from TGA analysis also seen to be slightly increased. It was observed that the incorporation of recycled PET flakes into HDPE is achievable using hot press process with slight improvement seen in both melting point and thermal stability of the composite compared to the neat HDPE.

Influence of amine and vinyl functional groups of silanes on total performance of thermoplastic-based composites

The influence of amine (polar) and vinyl (nonpolar) functionalized organosilanes were investigated on the total performance of neat high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and wood-HDPE composites. Thus, micro-size silicate-based mineral fillers were treated with 3 mass% amine and vinyl silanes and then 15 and 30 mass% plus 1 and 5 mass% of treated mineral fillers were blended with neat HDPE and wood-HDPE composites, respectively. Based on the achieved mechanical, thermal, rheological, water absorption, and microstructural results, the affinity of amine functional group and HDPE matrix predominantly decreased the rigidity, improved the thermal stability, reduced the water uptake, and facilitated the dispersion of fillers within the polymeric composite. As demonstrated by FTIR test, due to the lack of chemical bonding between the polyethylene and amine/vinyl functional groups, the electrostatic forces can explain the affinity between the filler and matrix. The affinity of the non-polar vinyl group and non-polar HDPE matrix resulted in the agglomeration of mineral fillers that can represent the repulsive electrostatic forces between the vinyl treated filler and the polymeric matrix.

Insights into crystallization and melting of high density polyethylene/graphene nanocomposites studied by fast scanning calorimetry

Graphene nanoplatelets (5 wt%) with different diameters (5 and 25 × 10−6 m in diameter, 6 × 10−9 m in thickness) filled high density polyethylene nanocomposites were prepared by the melt-mixing method and the effect of graphene nanoplatelets on the polymeric matrix are then investigated by X-ray diffraction, polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, fast scanning calorimetry, and rheology. Polarized light microscopy revealed that graphene nanoplatelets of 5 × 10−6 m promote the decrease in the size of the spherical aggregates during crystallization compared to larger nanoplatelets. From rheological measurements, it was found that even though the viscosity of the nanocomposites with increasing filler diameter was increased significantly compared to the neat polymer, the processability of these materials was not affected. Several melting events for neat high-density polyethylene and graphene nanocomposites were observed by fast scanning calorimetry associated with the small imperfect crystals grown at large supercooling, the nucleation efficiency and the diameter size of the filler. The activation energy values versus the relative extent of crystallization revealed that graphene nanoplatelets block the movement of the molecular segments and make crystallization difficult, especially at the final stage of the process. Based on this work, it can be concluded that the nanocomposite with the smaller diameter showed the most enhanced crystallization kinetics as graphene increased the number of nucleation sites, while the larger ones hindered the melted molecules in reaching full isotropization above the melting temperature.

The Dispersion of Pulp-Fiber in High-Density Polyethylene via Different Fabrication Processes.

In this study, a pulp beating machine was used to premix the pulp fibers with high density polyethylene (HDPE) particles in water. The wet or pre-dried pulp fiber/HDPE mixture was then melt-compounded by a twin screw extruder. For further improving the dispersion of pulp fiber, some mixture was forced to pass through the twin-screw extruder twice. The resulting mixture was compression molded to the composite. The fiber distribution was observed by the aid of an optic and scanning electron microscope. The mechanical and rheological properties and creep resistance of the composites were characterized. Test results demonstrate that when the wet pulp fiber/HDPE mixture was subjected to pre-pressing and oven drying prior to extrusion compounding, the resulting composites exhibited homogeneous fiber distribution, superior flexural property, creep-resistance, and high storage modulus. Particularly, its flexural strength and modulus were 57% and 222% higher, respectively, than that of the neat HDPE, while the composites prepared without pre-dried were 19% and 100% higher, respectively. Drying the wet mixture in advance is more effective than re-passing through the extruder for improving the fiber dispersion and composite performance.

Oxo‐biodegradability of high‐density polyethylene films containing limited amount of isotactic polypropylene

ABSTRACTLimited amount of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) is added to high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) containing 1% w/w an oxo‐biodegradable additive and extruded and converted to films. The films are put under UV irradiation for different periods of time. Irradiation of the films for 6 weeks imposes remarkable effects on viscosity average molecular weight (Mv) and carbonyl index (CI) of them. Mv decreases from 3.4 × 105 to 4.7 × 104 g mol−1 for neat HDPE films; from 3.1 × 105 to 3.3 × 104 g mol−1 for the films containing oxo compound, and from 1.5 × 105 to 2.6 × 104 g mol−1 for the films containing oxo compound and 1% w/w iPP. Carbonyl index of the neat HDPE films increases from 4 to 8.7 while for the sample containing only the oxo compound it increases from 4.5 to 7.3 and for the sample containing both oxo compound and iPP it decreases from 12.0 to 8.8. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicate more cracks and uniform degradation in the samples containing iPP and oxo compound. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) of the samples shows that the samples containing iPP and oxo compound have lower decomposition temperature after UV irradiation. Finally, it can be said that the presence of iPP in HDPE matrix containing oxo compound can improve HDPE oxo‐biodegradablity. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45843.

Wood-plastic composites utilizing wood flours derived from fast-growing trees common to the Midwest

There are several non-utilized or under-utilized hardwood trees common to the Midwestern states. Wood flour (WF) derived from fast-growing Midwest trees (Osage orange, black locust, and red mulberry) were evaluated as a source of bio-based fiber reinforcement. Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), 25 wt.% of WF, and either 0% or 5% by weight of maleated polyethylene (MAPE) were produced via twin screw compounding and injection molding. Specimen bars were evaluated for their mechanical and flexural properties. Composite blends that employed the coupling agent MAPE were superior to composites without MAPE or neat HDPE in terms of their mechanical and flexural properties. The Osage orange WPC composed of juvenile WF had mechanical and flexural properties that were the same as the WPC composed of mature WF. The WPC composed of WF from Midwestern trees were comparable with the WPC composed of pine WF in terms of their mechanical and flexural properties. Soaking the bars of the various WPC blends in distilled water for 28 days altered their weights, mechanical properties, and color. Thermal properties of neat HDPE and WPCs were evaluated using differential scanning colorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis.

Evaluation of the thermal, mechanical and dynamic mechanical characteristics of modified graphite nanoplatelets and graphene oxide high-density polyethylene composites

Abstract The effectiveness of graphitic nanoplatelets (GNPs) and graphene oxide (GO) as reinforcing fillers in a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix was evaluated based on morphological, tensile, dynamic mechanical, and thermal property improvements over the neat polymer. Simple melt compounding and injection moulding were used for sample fabrication. Filler loadings ranged from 0.1% to 10% for GNP, and 0.05%–1.5% for GO. Improvements in mechanical properties were observed in both composites for all investigated filler loadings, though more pronounced in the GNP composites, which saw a 56% increase in elastic modulus and 23% increase in maximum stress over neat HDPE for the 10% GNP composite. A slight increase in crystallization temperature was observed for the GNP composites, while a similar drop in melting point was recorded for both systems. SEM imaging revealed that agglomeration was present in both composites, though dispersion was better for the GNP/HDPE composites.

From morphology of attrited copper/MWCNT hybrid fillers to thermal and mechanical characteristics of their respective polymer‐matrix composites: An analytical and experimental study

ABSTRACTSynergistic effect of copper and multiwalled carbon nanotube on thermal and mechanical properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)‐matrix composite was evaluated. Attrition mill was employed to prepare the hybrid powder. Reinforcing the polymer‐matrix was carried out using different contents of simultaneously (Sim) and separately (Sep) milled powders as hybrid fillers. X‐ray diffraction and microscopy results show different trends of particle size for Sep and Sim affected by both milling time and volume fraction ratio. Thermal characterization indicates that conductivity was enhanced by 90% and thermal expansion was reduced to 53% of neat HDPE. Young's modulus and tensile strength were improved by 7.8 and 1.22 times of neat HDPE, respectively. Also, characteristics of Sim‐reinforced composites exhibited better correlated relation with milling time compared with erratic behavior of Sep. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45397.

Structural changes in HDPE produced by in-line plasma-pretreated reactive extrusion

Structure of high density poly ethylene (HDPE) was changed after Plasma-induced graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer onto HDPE. Continuous polymerization of monomer wetted HDPE pellets was carried out sequentially via in-line plasma pretreatment followed by reactive extrusion. It was influenced by plasma pretreatment times between 15 s and 120 s on degree of grafting and molecular structure of the extrudate. Maximum degree of grafting was limited to 6% after 30 s plasma pretreatment. The addition of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) increased the degree of grafting to 10% after 15 s of plasma treatment. Gel formation to levels in the range 3–5% was detected, increasing with plasma pretreatment time. The formation of long chain branched (LCB) architecture, of the extruded PMMA-g-HDPE, was confirmed by rheological test in oscillatory shear, which results in increases in low frequency storage and loss moduli and melt viscosity than that of neat HDPE, especially after DCP addition. Finally, formation of a fully crosslinked structure was observed after annealing at 210 °C for 1 h as evidenced by a change in rheological properties at lowest frequencies to solid-like behaviour. Such extensive crosslinking could be useful in producing high strength adhesive joints between HDPE and other materials.

A cooling and two-step depressurization foaming approach for the preparation of modified HDPE foam with complex cellular structure

This article reports on the fabrication of modified high-density polyethylene (HDPE) foams with complex cellular structure (CCS) using supercritical CO2 as a physical blowing agent by a cooling and two-step depressurization method. HDPE was modified by dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to improve its viscoelasticity and foaming behavior. The gel content test demonstrated that the cross-linking structure formed in the modified HDPE samples. Compared with that of neat HDPE, the viscoelasticity of modified HDPE was improved largely, which was characterized by rotational rheometer and torque rheometer. The introduction of DCP and CNTs had a slightly effect on the thermal behaviors of HDPE. The foaming properties of various HDPE samples showed that the cross-linking structure caused by DCP improved the foamability of HDPE and CNTs acted as a nucleating agent for cell nucleation. The degree of the first-step depressurization was critical to control the CCS evolution in HDPE foam.

Effect of entangled state of nascent UHMWPE on structural and mechanical properties of HDPE/UHMWPE blends

ABSTRACTIn this study, a synthesized ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with a less entangled state and a commercial UHMWPE with a highly entangled state were blended with high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) by melt blending, respectively. Rheology, 2D small‐angle X‐ray scattering (2D‐SAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile test were used to study the relationship between the microstructure and the mechanical properties of blends. It was demonstrated that the UHMWPE with the less entangled state was easy to be oriented at a given flow. More mechanical networks were achieved among the HDPE matrix and the UHMWPE chains due to the fewer entanglements of synthesized UHMWPE, improving the melting recovery of blends. Furthermore, notably oriented structures (shish‐kebabs) with increased long‐periods were made in the blends of weakly entangled UHMWPE and HDPE. The tensile strength of this blend was thus enhanced, i.e., the tensile strength raised for neat HDPE from 45.7 to 83.1 MPa for HDPE/UHMWPE blends containing 10 wt % of less entangled UHMWPE. However, the phase separation of blends was characterized when more weakly entangled UHMWPE was incorporated. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44728.