Thermal Stability Of High-density Polyethylene Research Articles

Effects of residual wax content on the thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of high‐density polyethylene

AbstractThe influence of residual wax content on the thermal, rheological, and mechanical behavior of two high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) samples from different lots of the same supplier was characterized. HDPE with a low wax content presented a higher melting temperature and a wider melting endotherm. A decrease in the degree of crystallinity and thermal stability of HDPE with a higher wax content was observed. Thermograms obtained by DSC indicated a small additional exothermic transition associated with the exclusion of residual wax. A higher wax content in HDPE produces a decrease in its viscosity due to a lubricating effect, which allows the sliding of HDPE chains of high molecular weight. In contrast, HDPE with lower wax content achieves greater elongational viscosity and melt strength. The mechanical testing results show that HDPE with higher wax content presented lower Young's modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, and Izod impact strength than HDPE with lower wax content. The results obtained show that a relatively slight difference in wax content significantly affects HDPE properties.

High-Density Polyethylene Waste (HDPE)-Waste-Modified Lube Oil Nanocomposites as Pour Point Depressants.

Sustainability metrics have been established that cover the economic, social, and environmental aspects of human activities. Reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) strategy targets solid waste management in the waste generation sectors. The purpose of this work is to study the possibility of using various plastic wastes containing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and high-density polyethylene nanoclay (PMON) as polymer additives to modify lubricating oil. The structure of these additives was elucidated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and the particle size of PMON was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The thermal stability of HDPE and nanoclay HDPE (PMON) was studied, which showed higher thermal stability, and these additives completed degradation above 500 °C. The performance of HDPE and nanoclay HDPE (PMON) in lubricating oil was evaluated as pour point depressants by standard ASTM methods. The results showed that the efficiency of these additives increases with the decrease in the dose of these additives and lubricating oil treated with HDPE at 0.25% dosage lowers PPT to −30 °C, while lubricating oil treated with nanoclay HDPE (PMON7) at 0.25% dosage reduces PPT to −36 °C. Photomicrographic analysis was conducted to study accumulations and modifications in the wax crystal morphology in lube oil without and with HDPE and nanoclay HDPE (PMON7). Photomicrographs revealed that wax morphology changes due to effective pour point depressants on crystal growth.

Thermo-mechanical properties of high density polyethylene with zinc oxide as a filler

This study investigates the microstructural, thermal, and mechanical behavior of high density polyethylene (HDPE)-based composites prepared using compression molding technique. HDPE was mixed with either micro-size zinc oxide (bulk ZnO) or zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnO) as fillers’ contents at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%. The structural, morphological, and thermal properties of the composites were identified using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed good dispersion and interaction mechanisms between HDPE and the fillers at low weight percentage. The thermal stability of HDPE was enhanced by adding both bulk and nano-ZnO, especially for higher filler loading. Tensile tests at different speeds and Vickers microhardness tests conducted at different indentation loads (0.25–5 N) at t = 60 s were performed to realize how the mechanical properties of the composites were influenced. The values of stiffness, ultimate tensile strength, and yield stress increased by increasing the filler loading to 20 wt% of either bulk ZnO or nano-ZnO. The values of ultimate tensile strain and ductility were deteriorated by increasing the filler loading. Nano-ZnO, at 20 wt% content in composite, showed higher mechanical properties than bulk composite, so it has been recommended for a better tensile performance at higher strain rates. Vickers microhardness measurements showed that the tested samples exhibited reverse indentation size effect (RISE) behavior. The obtained results were analyzed using Meyer’s law which was a preferred approach for analysis of HDPE/ZnO composite.

Optimization of Thermal Stability of High-Density Polyethylene Composite Using Antioxidant, Carbon Black and Nanoclay Addition by a Central Composite Design Method: X-ray Diffraction and Rheological Characterization

The thermal stability of high-density polyethylene, as characterized by an Oxidation Induction Time (OIT) test in the presence of the three additives, antioxidant, carbon black and nanoclay, was investigated. The twenty experiments used were designed by using the Central Composite Design (CCD) method, and the effects of the main parameters and their interactions were analyzed. The results of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that the antioxidant, nanoclay and carbon black contents, the antioxidant-nanoclay interaction and the antioxidant-carbon black interaction, had significant effects on the thermal stability. By optimization of the percent compositions used, the best composition was obtained, 0.26%, 2.21% and 4.69% for antioxidant, carbon black and nanoclay, respectively, to achieve thermal stability equal to the targeted value of 60 minutes. X-ray diffraction confirmed a weak polymer-nanocaly interaction in the optimal sample structure. The rheology frequency sweep test showed an increase in the elastic and viscous modulus in the optimal sample relative to the control samples. The Melt Flow Index (MFI) test for an optimum sample showed a pseudo-plastic structure with the lowest melt flow index of 0.2614 g/10 min, which was consistent with the results of the complex viscosity, with the optimal sample having the highest value (128500 Pa.s). The density test indicated the most crystalline structure for the optimized sample, with the highest value (0.976 g/cm3) compared to the control samples (0.962 and 0.957 g/cm3 for the polyethylene/nanoclay and the polyethylene/carbon black sample, respectively).

Fabrication, characterization and gamma rays shielding properties of nano and micro lead oxide-dispersed-high density polyethylene composites

Polymer composites of high-density polyethylene (HD-PE) filled with powdered lead oxide nanoparticles (PbO NPs) and bulk lead oxide (PbO Blk) were prepared with filler weight fraction [10% and 50%]. These polymer composites were investigated for radiation-shielding of gamma-rays emitted from radioactive point sources [241Am, 133Ba, 137Cs, and 60Co]. The polymer was found to decrease the heaviness of the shielding material and increase the flexibility while the metal oxide fillers acted as principle radiation attenuators in the polymer composite. The prepared composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area (BET) and field emission transmission electron microscope (FE-TEM). The morphological analysis of the assembled composites showed that, PbO NPs and PbO Blk materials exhibited homogenous dispersion in the polymer-matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that the thermal-stability of HD-PE was enhanced in the presence of both PbO Blk and PbO NPs. The results declared that, the density of polymer composites was increase with the percentage of filler contents. The highest density value was identified as 1.652gcm−3 for 50wt% of PbO NPs. Linear attenuation coefficients (µ) have been estimated from the use of XCOM code and measured results. Reasonable agreement was attended between theoretical and experimental results. These composites were also found to display excellent percentage of heaviness with respect to other conventional materials.

Extrusion Blow Molding of Polymeric Blends Based on Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymer and High Density Polyethylene

Abstract This work is concerned with the extrusion blow molding of polymeric blends containing thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), using a single screw extruder. The TLCP is synthesized from terephthalic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroquinone and hydroquinone derivatives, the melting point of which is 280 °C. Because the TLCP is usually processed at much higher temperatures than HDPE, the thermal stability of HDPE at elevated temperature is evaluated. It is shown that HDPE is relatively stable in the processing temperature range of the TLCP used in this work (260 to 300 °C). Bottles are successfully produced from the blends containing 10, 20 and 50 wt% TLCP. The TLCP/HDPE blend bottles exhibit enhanced modulus relative to pure HDPE. However, the improvement in tensile strength is marginal. At 10 and 20 wt% TLCP contents, the TLCP phase exists as platelets aligning along the machine direction, while a co-continuous morphology is observed for the blend containing 50 wt% TLCP. To further enhance the mechanical properties of the blends, the preliminary effectiveness of maleic anhydride grafted HDPE (MA-g-HDPE) as a compatibilizer is studied. The injection molded ternary blends of TLCP/HDPE/MA-g-HDPE have demonstrated superior mechanical properties over the binary TLCP/HDPE blends, which suggests MA-g-HDPE as a potential compatibilizer for developing high performance TLCP/HDPE containers with enhanced mechanical properties.

Incorporation of Copper Enhances the Anti-Ageing Property of Flame-Sprayed High-Density Polyethylene Coatings

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)-copper (Cu) composite coatings were prepared through depositing HDPE-Cu core-shell particles by flame spraying. The HDPE-Cu composite coatings and the HDPE coatings were aged in xenon lamp ageing testing chamber. The variations of chemical compositions and surface morphology of the coatings before and after the ageing testing were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. Results show that there is no chemical composition variation in the HDPE-Cu coatings. Cracks were found on the surfaces of the HDPE coatings, while the HDPE-Cu coating shows almost intact surface morphology. These results suggest that the HDPE-Cu coatings present better anti-ageing performances than the HDPE coatings. Further assessment of the function of Cu shells on the anti-ageing property reveals that Cu shells not only enhanced the absorption of the coatings to ultraviolet, but also increased their reflectivity to visible light. Additionally, the Cu shells enhanced the decomposition temperature and thermal stability of HDPE in the composite coatings. These results give bright insight into potential anti-ageing applications of the polymer-based structures.

Thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of high density polyethylene/fullerene composites

Fullerene (C60)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were studied in order to understand for their behaviors on thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation. Under different atmosphere, the influences of C60 on the thermal stability of HDPE are different. Thermogravimetric analysis coupled to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) demonstrate that in N2 the addition of C60 increases the onset decomposition temperature by about 10 °C with more heavy compounds (more than 34 carbon). Also the thermal stability of HDPE in air is remarkably improved with the addition of C60. When the content of C60 is 2.5 wt% the onset decomposition temperature increases by about 91 °C. The results of viscoelastic behavior and gel content reveal that C60 can trap the alkyl radicals and alkyl peroxide radicals to inhibit hydrogen abstraction to suppress the chain scission and preserve the long chain structure. However, in the absence of C60 or with low C60 concentration, hydrogen abstraction occurs, resulting in the formation of a series of alkyl radicals and alkyl peroxide radicals, which accelerates the chain scission and plays a leading role in the thermal oxidative degradation.

Mechanical and Thermal Performance of High-Density Polyethylene/Alumina Nanocomposites

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites reinforced with pristine and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS)-treated alumina nanoparticles of 2, 4, and 6 wt% were melt-compounded in a twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. Their structure, thermal and mechanical behaviors were studied. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that VTMS was successfully covalently grafted to the alumina nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated that the alumina nanoparticle additions broadened the characteristic peak width of HDPE, indicating that they reduced the crystallite size of HDPE. The heat deflection temperature and thermogravimetric analyses demonstrated that the dimensional and thermal stability of HDPE were enhanced markedly by adding pristine and silane-treated alumina nanoparticles. The alumina nanoparticle additions were also beneficial in enhancing Young's modulus and yield strength of HDPE. The reinforcing effect was particularly apparent in the silane-treated nanocomposites due to improved filler–matrix interactions.

Preparation and Mechanical and Tribological Properties of High-Density Polyethylene/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites reinforced with hydroxyapatite nanorods (nHA) were fabricated by means of extrusion and injection molding. The thermal, mechanical, and dry sliding wear properties of HDPE-based nanocomposites filled with nHA loadings up to 20 wt% were investigated. The results of mechanical property characterization showed that nHA additions improved the hardness, elastic modulus, and yield strength of HDPE at the expense of its tensile ductility and impact strength. Thermogravimetric analysis and heat deflection temperature measurements revealed that nHA fillers are very effective to enhance the thermal stability of HDPE. The wear behavior of HDPE/nHA nanocomposites was studied using a pin-on-disk tribometer. nHA fillers of a large aspect ratio improved the wear resistance of HDPE substantially because of their load-bearing effect and the formation of a continuous transfer film on the steel counterface.

Role of Surface Active Agent on Dimensional Stability of HDPE/CaCO3 Nanocomposites

Dimensional stability is normally defined as the ability of a material to maintain its size and shape under various temperatures and stresses. The parameter, which is used to determine dimensional stability, is thermal expansion coefficient. This work deals with the study of the dimensional stability and thermal stability of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and its nanocomposites by the presence of different stearic acid (SA) content as a modifier of surface. To investigate the role of surfactant on dimensional stability of HDPE nanocomposite reinforced with nano-sized calcium carbonate (CaCO3), nano-sized calcium carbonates were coated with different SA content. Standard specimens of HDPE/10 vol% CaCO3 nanocomposite were performed using injection method. To study dimensional stability of HDPE/10 vol% nanocomposites, dilatometry method was used. The results showed that addition of nano-sized CaCO 3 caused the decrease of thermal expansion coefficient of HDPE. In addition, dimensional stability of HDPE/10 vol% CaCO3 improved due to increasing SA content. Also, addition of inorganic fillers and surfactant retarded the thermal oxidation of HDPE.

Comparative study of the effect of different nanoparticles on the mechanical properties, permeability, and thermal degradation mechanism of HDPE

AbstractIn the present study, different series of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing on a Haake‐Buchler Reomixer, containing 2.5 wt % of multiwall carbon nanotubes, pristine and modified montmorillonite, surface‐treated and ‐untreated SiO2 nanoparticles. From transmission electron micrographs, it was found that beyond a fine dispersion of nanoparticles into HDPE matrix, there are also some aggregates easily discriminated. As a result, there was a decrease in the tensile and impact strength of most of nanocomposites except Young's modulus, which was increased. Storage modulus as recorded from dynamic mechanical analysis was also increased in all nanocomposites, because HDPE becomes stiffer due to the incorporation of nanoparticles. The nucleation behavior of nanoparticles during crystallization was found to have no obvious effect on melting and crystallization temperature of HDPE. However, a small decrease in the heat of fusion in all nanocomposites was evidenced. Gas permeability of HDPE matrix in O2, N2, and CO2 was reduced in all nanocomposites compared with neat polymer. Thermal stability of HDPE was also enhanced due to the incorporation of different nanoparticles. From the kinetic analysis of thermal decomposition of HDPE, it was concluded that to describe the thermal degradation of HDPE and the studied nanocomposites, two consecutive mechanisms of nth‐order autocatalysis have to be considered. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009

Thermal degradation mechanism of HDPE nanocomposites containing fumed silica nanoparticles

In the present study different series of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites, containing 0.5, 1, 2.5 and 5 wt.% of fumed silica (SiO 2) nanoparticles were prepared by melt-mixing on a Haake–Buchler Reomixer. From SEM micrographs it was found that even though there is a fine dispersion of nanoparticles into HDPE matrix there are also some aggregates formed and their size depends directly on the SiO 2 content. Tensile strength increases by increasing silica content up to 2.5 wt.% SiO 2, while at 5 wt.% a reduction was observed. Additionally, Young's modulus increases continuously while impact strength has the opposite trend and SiO 2 content has no monotonic effect on HDPE melting point. Thermal stability of HDPE was enhanced due to the incorporation of SiO 2 nanoparticles. From the kinetic analysis of thermal decomposition of HDPE and its nanocomposites, it was concluded that in order to describe the thermal degradation mechanism, two consecutive mechanisms of nth-order (Fn) and nth-order with autocatalysis (Cn) have to be considered. SiO 2 have no effect on decomposition mechanism but only to the activation energies, which in nanocomposites are higher, compared with neat HDPE, due to the stabilization effect of SiO 2 nanoparticles.

Studies on Rheological Behavior and Structure Development of High‐Density Polyethylene in the Presence of Ultrasonic Oscillations During Extrusion

The effects of ultrasonic oscillations on properties and structure of extruded high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) were studied. The experimental results show that ultrasonic oscillations can improve the surface appearance of the HDPE extrudates; increase the productivity of the HDPE extrudates; and decrease the die pressure, melt viscosity, and flow activation energy of the HDPE. The processing properties of the HDPE improve greatly in the presence of ultrasonic oscillations. Linear viscoelastic properties tests show that dynamic shear viscosity and zero shear viscosity decrease in the presence of ultrasonic oscillations. Ultrasonic oscillations can improve crystal perfection and thermal stability of HDPE. At appropriate ultrasound intensity, ultrasonic oscillations could also increase the mechanical strength of extruded HDPE. The gel permeation chromatography (GPC) results show that at high ultrasound intensity and low rotation speed of extrusion, ultrasonic oscillations causes chain scission of HDPE, which result in a decrease of molecular weight and an increase of melt flow index.