Polyethylene And Polypropylene Research Articles

Spectral analysis of environmental microplastic polyethylene (PE) using average spectra

In this study, microplastic samples from surface seawater of Tokyo Bay were collected, polyethylene (PE) microplastics were used to calculate carbonyl index (CI), and average spectra of PE were analyzed and compared with a previous study applying agitation during chemical treatment. It was found that PE and polypropylene (PP) were the predominant polymer type in the samples. Among PE samples, fragments were the most commonly observed shape, with white being the dominant color. Deviations were found in the average spectra among different shapes and colors when compared to the standard PE spectrum. A comparison of the average spectra between the two datasets suggests that pronounced peaks related to oxidation are most likely resulted from agitation during the chemical treatment. Additionally, it was found a closer spectral resemblance between the sample spectra and the spectrum of standard sample of oxidized PE (PEOx) than with the standard PE spectrum, suggesting that using the oxidized PE as a reference spectrum might be more effective for identification. These findings highlight the complex factors affecting the spectral properties of microplastics and highlight the importance of understanding these variations to enhance the accuracy of microplastic identification workflows and understanding of environmental fate of microplastics.

Special Packaging Materials from Recycled PET and Metallic Nano-Powders.

The European methodology for plastics, as a feature of the EU's circular economy activity plan, ought to support the decrease in plastic waste. The improvement of recycled plastics' economics and quality is one important part of this action plan. Additionally, achieving the requirement that all plastic packaging sold in the EU by 2030 be recyclable or reusable is an important objective. This means that food packaging materials should be recycled in a closed loop at the end. One of the most significant engineering polymers is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is widely used. Due to its numerous crucial qualities, it has a wide variety of applications, from packaging to fibers. The thermoplastic polyolefin, primarily polyethylene and polypropylene (PP), is a popular choice utilized globally in a wide range of applications. In the first phase of the current experiment, the materials were obtained by hot pressing with the press machine. The reinforcer is made of Al nanopowder 800 nm and Fe nanopowder 790 nm and the quality of the recycled polymer was examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). From DSC variation curves as a function of temperature, the values from the transformation processes (glass transition, crystallization, and melting) are obtained. SEM measurements revealed that the polymer composites with Al have smooth spherical particles while the ones with Fe have bigger rough spherical particles.

Identification and quantification of polyethylene microplastics with sulfur-doped carbon nanoparticles in fluorescence mode and construction of paper-based analytical method

Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a vital issue of worldwide concern owing to its associated hazards and the ubiquitous accumulation of MPs particles, which is correlated to their small sizes. Rapid identification and quantification of MPs represents an ongoing challenge in the field of environmental research. In this work, we prepared a fluorescence nanoprobe for identifying polyethylene (PE) MPs and developed a readily available method for the fast quantification of PE MPs in fluorescence mode. A kind of sulfur-doped carbon nanoparticles (S-CNPs) was prepared using nitrated pyrene and dithiosalicylic acid as precursors via a solvothermal process. S-CNPs showed no fluorescence emission in the solid state, whereas visible fluorescence was observed by labeling PE MPs. The surface environment-dependent emission of S-CNPs is an important factor in explaining the different emissions of different types of MPs, such as PE, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene (PS) for MPs identification. Notably, the distinction between PE and polypropylene (PP) was achieved using these S-CNPs according to their different staining efficiencies. Owing to its fast staining ability, a paper-based method for PE MPs quantification in water samples was developed using a simple vacuum-assisted suction filtration method and filter paper soaked with S-CNPs. Utilized as a readily available identification and quantification platform, these S-CNPs have great potential and could pave the way for MPs monitoring.

Plastiglomerates from uncontrolled burning of plastic waste on Indonesian beaches contain high contents of organic pollutants

This study reports on plastiglomerate and other new forms of plastic pollution in the tropical marine continent of Indonesia. Twenty-five samples were collected from an island beach in the Java Sea where plastiglomerate, plasticrusts, and pyroplastic were formed by the uncontrolled burning of plastic waste. The most common plastic types were polyethylene and polypropylene (PE/PP), as shown by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. However, acrylates/polyurethane/varnish (PU) and a copolymer of styrene and acrylonitrile were found as well. This suggests that plastiglomerates can form from a wider variety of plastic polymers than previously reported. FTIR analysis also indicates thermo-oxidative weathering, making the charred plastic more brittle and susceptible to microplastic formation. A subset of the samples was analyzed for associated chemical contaminants. One plastiglomerate with a PU matrix showed high concentrations of phthalates. All samples had high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), likely due to the burning of the plastic in open fires. The burning leads to a change in the physical and chemical properties of the plastics contained in the plastiglomerates. Plastiglomerate and plastic waste of similar origin are therefore often more weathered and contaminated with organic pollutants than their parent polymers. The highest PAH concentration was found in a plastitar sample. Plastitar is defined as an agglomerate of tar and plastics that adheres to coastal rocks. In contrast, our study documents a more mobile, clastic plastitar type. This clastic plastitar could pose an additional ecological risk because of its mobility. These new types of plastic pollution could be an important vector for chemical contamination of nearby coastal habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves.

Enhanced coagulation process for removing dissolved organic matter, microplastics, and silver nanoparticles

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microplastics (MPs), and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in water are of major concern because of their direct and indirect toxic effects on aquatic organisms and human exposure via water. This work investigated the effect of poly aluminum chloride (PACl) coagulation for reducing DOC, MPs, and AgNPs. This work used water from a canal in Thailand with a DOC of 5.2 mg/L in the experiment. AgNPs of 5–20 mg/L were added to canal water to create synthetic water for the PACl coagulation. Polyethylene and polypropylene (PP) type MPs were identified in the raw water with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Coagulation with 15 mg/L of PACl performed better in the PP removal. The PACl coagulation at dosages of 15, 40, and 70 mg/L removed DOC by 16–20%, 44–52%, and 46–63% and AgNPs by 34–90%, 53–93%, and 81–95%, respectively. The presence of AgNPs at high levels could inhibit the efficiency of DOC reduction by the PACl coagulation. The FESEM identified the adsorption of silver-containing nanoparticles onto the flocs with increased dosages of PACl. So, PACl is a coagulant in the removal of AgNPs that can reduce health hazards and eco-toxicological risks in water sources due to the release of silver.

Co-occurrence of microplastics and hydrochar stimulated the methane emission but suppressed nitrous oxide emission from a rice paddy soil

Hydrochar (HBC) is an emerging carbon-enriched material produced from renewable resources using hydrothermal carbonization and has performed multiple functions as a soil amendment, including greenhouse gas (GHGs) emission mitigation in croplands. With more and more microplastics (MPs) entering soil, there are concerns about the impacts of the co-occurrence of HBC and MPs on GHGs emissions and the associated microbial communities, which have not been revealed. This study conducted a rice paddy soil column experiment. The co-effects of 0.5 wt% MPs (polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PAN)) and 1.0 wt% HBC on nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions were investigated relative to treatment of HBC alone and control check (CK). Also, the microbial mechanism regulating N2O and CH4 emissions has been clarified. Results showed that compared with CK, the addition of HBC alone reduced CH4 cumulative emission by 27.7% although the change was insignificant, but increased N2O cumulative emission by 66.3%. Overall, HBC alone showed limited impacts on global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI). This effect was distinctly altered by PE and PAN addition. The co-occurrence of HBC and PE caused obviously higher methanogens gene (mcrA) in soil but lower rice grain yield, leading to the increase of CH4 emissions by 83.5% and GHGIN2O + CH4 by 36.0% compared to HBC alone. While, no apparent difference in CH4 emission occurred between HBC + PAN and HBC. By contrast, HBC + PAN obviously increased N2O reductase gene (nosZ) abundance and decreased the ratio of denitrification gene nirS and nirK to nosZ. Thus, HBC + PAN showed 3- and 4-fold lower N2O emissions than CK and HBC, respectively. Among all the treatments, HBC + PAN exhibited the strongest GWPN2O + CH4 and GHGIN2O + CH4 mitigation effect. This study firstly demonstrates that the potential of HBC in mitigating GHGs emission in the rice field would greatly and differently vary with the co-occurrence of different types of MPs.

Microplastics in real wastewater treatment schemes: Comparative assessment and relevant inhibition effects on anaerobic processes

The occurrence, fate and removal of microplastics (MPs) in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Central Italy were investigated together with their potential adverse effects on anaerobic processes. In the influent of the WWTP, 3.6 MPs.L−1 were detected that mostly comprised polyester fibers and particles in the shape of films, ranging 0.1–0.5 mm and made of polyethylene and polypropylene (PP). The full-scale conventional activated sludge scheme removed 86% of MPs, with the main reduction in the primary and secondary settling. MPs particles bigger than 1 mm were not detected in the final effluent and some loss of polymers types were observed. In comparison, the pilot-scale upflow granular anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) + anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) configuration achieved 94% MPs removal with the abatement of 87% of fibers and 100% of particles. The results highlighted an accumulation phenomenon of MPs in the sludge and suggested the need to further investigate the effects of MPs on anaerobic processes. Accordingly, PP-MPs at concentrations from 5 PP-MPs.gTS−1 to 50 PP-MPs.gTS−1 were spiked in the pilot-scale UASB reactor that was fed with real municipal wastewater, where up to 58% decrease in methanogenic activity was observed at the exposure of 50 PP-MPs.gTS−1. To the best of our knowledge, the presented results are the first to report of PP-MPs inhibition on anaerobic processes.

Mechanical and structural properties for recycled thermoplastics from waste fishing ropes

To develop the utilization of recycled plastics made from fishing ropes waste, which have been drifted ashore on the seaside, mechanical and structural properties of the waste were analyzed. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that the fishing ropes waste used in this study was composed of polyethylene (PE) fiber or a mixture of PE and polypropylene (PP) fibers. The mechanical properties of the recycled PE plastic substantially changed after different heat treatment condition, i.e., quenching at 0 °C or heating at 70 and 110 °C. The results showed that this recycled material became stiffer and more brittle as the crystallinity increased. In contrast, the mechanical properties of the recycled PE/PP plastic were not dependent on the heat treatment; the mechanical properties of this material remained relatively low regardless of the selected heat treatment. This observed lack of improvement occurred because PE and PP are non-compatible, so the structure inside the material was phase-separated. By adding ground rice hull (RH) as a modifier to the PE/PP resin, the elastic modulus of the composites increased substantially, whereas the degree of elongation decreased. The improvement in mechanical properties was remarkable for the composites containing an average RH particle diameter of 17 μm.

Concentrations and fingerprints of PAHs and PCBs adsorbed onto marine plastic debris from the Indonesian Cilacap coast and theNorth Atlantic gyre

We investigated the contamination of marine plastic debris from the Indonesian Cilacap coast and the North Atlantic gyre by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The mean concentrations of 15 PAHs in gyre were 58 and 142 ng/g in polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) debris, respectively, while PE and polypropylene (PP) Indonesian debris exhibited an average content of 552 ng/g (mainly naphthalene). The mean concentration of 61 PCBs in open ocean debris was 12.2 ng/g, while coastal debris showed a worryingly high mean value of 1.4×104 ng/g, with the notable presence of CB6, 101 and 173. PE gyre debris contained mostly high molecular weight PAHs such as benzo(g,h,i)perylene and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and low-chlorinated PCBs such as CB52, 77 and 105, whereas PET debris contained low molecular weight PAHs (mainly acenaphthylene and phenanthrene) and high-chlorinated PCBs such as CB204.

Tissue-Specific Biomarker Responses in the Blue Mussel Mytilus spp. Exposed to a Mixture of Microplastics at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations

The impact of a microplastic (MP) mixture composed of polyethylene (PE) andpolypropylene (PP) plastic particles, prepared from commercially available products,was evaluated in blue mussels Mytilus spp. exposed to three environmentally relevantconcentrations: 0.008 μg L−1 (low), 10 μg L−1 (medium), and 100 μg L−1 (high).Organisms were exposed for 10 days followed by 10 days of depuration in clean seawaterunder controlled laboratory conditions. The evaluation of MP effects on mussel clearancerate, tissue structure, antioxidant defenses, immune and digestive parameters, and DNAintegrity were investigated while the identification of plastic particles in mussel tissues(gills, digestive gland, and remaining tissues), and biodeposits (feces and pseudofaeces)was performed using infrared microscopy (μFT-IR). Results showed the presence of MPsonly in the digestive gland of mussels exposed to the highest tested concentration ofMPs with a mean of 0.75 particle/mussel (after the 10 days of exposure). In biodeposits,PE and PP particles were detected following exposure to all tested concentrationsconfirming the ingestion of MPs by the organisms. A differential response of antioxidantenzyme activities between digestive gland and gills was observed. Significant increasesin superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured in thedigestive gland of mussels exposed to the low (0.008 μg L−1) and medium (10 μg L−1)concentrations ofMPs and in the gills frommussels exposed to the highest concentration(100 μg L−1) of MPs that could be indicative of a change in the redox balance. Moreover,an increase in acid phosphatase activity was measured in hemolymph of musselsexposed to 0.008 and 10 μg L−1concentrations. No significant difference was observedin the clearance rate, and histopathological parameters between control and exposedmussels. This study brings new insights on the potential sublethal impacts of MPs atenvironmentally relevant concentrations in marine bivalves.

Property reinforcement of poly(propylene carbonate) by simultaneous incorporation of poly(lactic acid) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Abstract In this study, by directly melt-blending with 10 wt% poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and 1.5 wt% multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), yield strength of a biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) was increased more than one order of magnitude, and its Young’s modulus was enhanced by 8 times. Meanwhile, the high elongation at break of PPC was maintained. This overall property reinforcement could not be observed by adding either PLA or CNTs separately. At room temperature, the obtained mechanical properties of the reinforced PPC are comparable to or even better than those of some traditional petroleum-based polymers such as low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene and polypropylene (PP). Together with good biodegradability and excellent conductivity, the PPC/PLA/CNT composites prepared in this work exhibit a potential to be used as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymers such as PP around room temperature.

The Effect of Packaging Materials on the Microbial load for Some Spices Powder

Spices known as natural products used in its entirety or crushed form. In this study weused four types of spices, a red pepper, black pepper, turmeric and a mixture of spicesknown as (Bahararat), which is made up of bays, ginger ,cinnamon, nutmeg and fog, rosehas been the mobilization of such species in three types of packaging materials, a glassMany (LDPE) low Density Polyethylene and Polypropylene (PP) Polypropylene andstored at room temperature for 120 days. The packaging materials were identified by adevice (FTIR25) Fouier Transfor Infrared Spectrocopy.the purpose of These treatments was to study the effect of packaging materials onbacterial load as the total number of bacteria, aerobic ,coliform, yeast and fungi, havealso been identified for some types of E. coli Coliforms bacteria and fungi that mightexist in the samples treated and which constitute a danger to consumer health.The Results of the study showed that the packaging material had a positive effectin terms of reducing bacterial contamination, while Ahararat packaged in containers ofglass was the least contamination between types of other packing ,and also the resultswere comparable in both (PP) and (LDPE) ,except (PP )which was more efficient than thesecond (LDPE) in all spices.The results also indicated that the highest level of bacterial contamination wasfound in the black pepper and less bacterial contamination was in Ahararat. The studyalso identified many different types of intestinal bacteria, including klebsiella oxytoca ,klebsiella, E. coli, Citrobacter frindii, Enterobacter arogeenoza, as well as the commandfor the fungi were identified on some species : Aspergillus flavus Aspergillius nigerAspergillius tamarii Penicillum aurantiogriseum., Rhizopus spp , Penicilliumcorylophilum. The most of these fungi was found in turmeric and black pepper samples.Spices are widely used, especially in Libyan meals Therefore, we must take care of it interms of packaging and storage conditions in order to ensure that they will get toconsumer in good conditions, away from the radiation treatments that could producehealth risks or reduce the acceptance from the consumer as well as in the case of thesterile gas which used such as carbon dioxide Alaiteleyn, propylene.

Compatibility of plastic with phase change materials (PCM)

Even though paraffin interactions with plastics are known by industry, plastics are commonly proposed as container materials for encapsulating phase change materials (PCM) in many applications. In the literature, there are very few experimental studies of organic PCM migration in plastics and its effects on plastic properties. These interactions are a case study of environmental stress cracking, which is considered one of the most common causes of plastic failure. The aim of this work is an experimental study of interactions of some PCM typically used for thermal energy storage, and some plastic materials currently used as encapsulating materials. With the materials tested in this work, it can be concluded that, for encapsulating organic PCM, low-density polyethylene and polypropylene showed worse behaviour than high-density polyethylene.

Sensor-Enabled Geosynthetics: Use of Conducting Carbon Networks as Geosynthetic Sensors

A novel technique is developed based on the piezoresistivity of electrically filled polymers to measure the tensile strain in modified geosynthetics without the need for conventional instrumentation (e.g., strain gauges). This paper reports the development of the technique and the results obtained on high-density polyethylene and polypropylene (PP) geogrid specimens filled with carbon black and carbon nanotubes (NTs). It was found that except for NT-filled PP specimens all other composites exhibited significant strain sensitivity in their conductivity. The proof-of-concept study reported in this paper has two important features: (1) strain sensitivity of electrical conductivity was demonstrated in polyolefins used to manufacture geosynthetics; and (2) this strain sensitivity was obtained and demonstrated over the range of strain values that are important in geosynthetic engineering applications.

Oxidative stability of cream cheese stored in thermoformed trays as affected by packaging material, drawing depth and light

Abstract The oxidative stability of cream cheese stored in thermoformed trays made of amorphous polyethylene terephtalate (A-PET)/polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS)/Ethylene-vinylalcohol copolymer (EVOH)/PE and Polypropylene (PP)/PE with different depth (25, 50 and 70 mm) and colour (black, white and transparent) was studied by sensory evaluation and gas chromatographic analysis of volatile compounds. The polymer combination had an important effect on sensory scores of both sunlight and acidulous flavour in cream cheese stored in the dark for 2, 4 and 6 months. Cream cheese stored in trays made of A-PET/PE had higher acidulous flavour and lower content of hexanal and 2-nonanone. Only small differences were observed between PS/EVOH/PE and PP/PE despite the great diversity of oxygen transmission rates. The drawing depth of the packages had no significant effect on oxidative stability of cream cheese, irrespective of storage in the dark or under illumination. The colour of the examined packaging material had a pronounced effect on photoxidative changes in cream cheese.

An unsteady state method for the measurement of polymer thermal diffusivity: I. Development of a cell

In this work the development of a cell able to determine the thermal diffusivity of polymers in their fused or solid state, using an unsteady state technique, is presented. In this case a step down perturbation method was used because of its easy experimental setup. For each experimental run a temperature step down perturbation of 10 °C was applied, and the temperature evolution with time and position were registered and saved. Thermal diffusivities were then determined by regression using those data and a simple analytical model. The polymers used to test the cell were high density polyethylene and polypropylene (PP). For the first polymer, the thermal diffusivity was found to be 2.05×10 −7 m 2/s, which compare satisfactorily with a value of 1.97×10 −7 m 2/s calculated from reported values of density, heat capacity and heat conductivity. For the PP the value was found to be 7.08×10 −7 m 2/s with a positive deviation of 5.05% when compared with a computed value of 6.74×10 −7 m 2/s. Taking into account experimental errors, and the natural variations between different stocks of materials, the observed differences are acceptable.

Re-examination of the thermal oxidation reactions of polymers3. Various reactions in polyethylene and polypropylene

Many hydroperoxide and peroxide transforming reactions can proceed in polymers. Pseudo-monomolecular and bimolecular hydroperoxide decomposition constitute only part of the overall possibilities. The additional reactions depend heavily on the particular polymer and the conditions of the experiments. The reaction of aldehydes with secondary hydroperoxides in polyethylene (PE) is transforming the aldehydes into acids and the hydroperoxides into ketones. With advancing oxidation acid-catalyzed hydroperoxide decomposition is expected to become increasingly important. It is particularly of interest if it involves special hydroperoxides such as α-keto-hydroperoxides and allylic hydroperoxides because the corresponding reactions give chain scission. The most important special structure formed in PE seems to be the α,γ-keto-hydroperoxides. Their thermal decomposition gives chain scission with simultaneous formation of carboxylic acid and methyl-ketone groups. Thermal decomposition of the ozonides formed on oxidation of PE and polypropylene (PP) also involves chain scission. In PE, contrary to PP, formation of 1,2-dioxetane groups is restricted. In addition, α-hydroxy-hydroperoxides are expected in much smaller amount in PE than in PP. They might be the only source of chemiluminescence in PE.

In situ compatibilization of polyolefin and polystyrene using Friedel—Crafts alkylation through reactive extrusion

In our preliminary study, it has been revealed that a copolymer of PE-g-PS can be formed during melt blending of polyethylene/polystyrene (PE/PS) blends via a Friedel—Crafts benzene ring alkylation of the PS. This paper reports our further study on the in situ compatibilization of polyolefin and polystyrene using a single screw extruder. Polyethylene and polypropylene (PP), respectively, have been blended with polystyrene, in the presence of an AlCl 3 catalyst system. The mechanical characterization of the PE/PS and PP/PS blends shows significant improvement in tensile elongation. Further characterization of the PE-g-PS copolymer formed in the blends as well as the ungrafted PE and PS suggests a competition between grafting and PS degradation. This in situ compatibilization technique has potential in recycling of mixed polymer wastes.

On the "curiosity" of electrically conductive melt processed doped-polyaniline/polymer blends versus carbon-black/polymer compounds

Carbon black/polymer conductive compounds have been known and commercially used for many years, and their scientific background is quite well established and documented. In contrast, polyaniline/polymer blends (PANI/polymer) processible via dry (solvent-free) melt-shaping methods are still relatively unknown, insufficiently understood, and only a single commercial PANI/polymer blend for dry melt processing is presently commercially available (PANI/PVC, Zipperling, Germany). In this communication, a mechanism of PANI structuring in dry melt-processed PANI/polymer systems is suggested. In addition, the differences between these two conductive “fillers” (carbon black and PANI) in melt blending and processing, and the rules governing their mode of dispersion in the solidified polymer matrix, which determines the blends conductivity levels, are discussed. In future papers, detailed experimental evidence, supported by molecular modeling calculations, for the PANI/polymer systems, will be presented to support the ideas expressed in the present communication further. Conducting carbon blacks (CB) often consist of elongated aggregates (low aspect ratios) composed of very small (nanometric) primary particles sintered together. Upon melt blending with a polymer and processing, the CB may undergo deagglomeration, aggregate erosion and fracturing, and reagglomeration, resulting in either a uniform or more often a nonuniform distribution of the black particles [1, 2]. The level of the particle distribution nonuniformity varies and, as a rule, higher nonuniformity levels result in higher conductivity levels owing to the formation of conducting paths [3, 4]. For example, nonuniform distributions are formed in semicrystalline polymers, where carbon black particles are selectively located within the amorphous regions, and in polymers having low affinity to the surface of the carbon black particles [5]. Thus, in semicrystalline polymers and particularly in relatively nonpolar and low surface tension polymers, represented, for example, by polyethylene and polypropylene (PP), the tiny carbon black particles tend to segregate and even percolate, by forming conducting networks at extremely low content of the CB particles, e.g. 3 wt% Ketjenblack EC in PP [6], as in Fig. 1(a). Other parameters, such as melt-blending conditions including shear level and shear history, are less important within the practical acceptable regions of blending regarding the CB structuring and conductivity levels obtained. More uniform distributions of carbon black particles are obtained in amorphous polar polymers having higher surface tensions, similar to that of CB (~50 dyne/cm). Thus, by dispersing carbon black (Ketjenblack EC) particles in a soft, amorphous and polar random co-polyamide 6/6.9 (=poly[HN– (CH2)5 – CO] – co – [HN – (CH2)6 – NH – CO – (CH2)7 – CO]) [7,8], percolation has not been realized up to the

Effect of talc surface treatment on the mechanical properties of composites based on PP/LDPE blend matrices

AbstractA study has been made of property optimization of a composite based on low density polyethylene and polypropylene (PP) blend matrices with talc modified by a titanate coupling agent. Analysis shows that the flexural properties improve with increasing content of both talc and polypropylene. However, the tensile moduli show a different behavior. Tensile strength is hardly affected by the filler content at PP percentages in the matrix above 50 percent. The surface modified talc gives rise to higher mechanical properties than the unmodified talc. This improvement is more noticeable as talc and PP percentages in the composite is increased. Scanning electron microscopy has shown the effect of the coupling agent at the filler/polymer matrix interphase and the greater affinity between talc and polypropylene.