Effect of Compatibilizer on Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Clay Filled Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Composites

Abstract

The main purpose of incorporating fillers, such as clay into composites of polyolefin is to decrease costs and change the properties. Structural differences between both components give rise to the formation of large filler agglomerates in the polymer matrix, which influence the mechanical response of the materials. Clay was used as a filler in LDPE composites and Polyethylene Acrylic Acid (PEAA) was used in this study as a compatibilizer. The effect of filler loading and PEAA on the mechanical and morphology of the composites were investigated. It was found that incorporation of compatibilizer (PEAA) increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus but decreased the elongation at break. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study of the tensile fracture surface of the composites indicated that the presence of PEAA increased the interfacial interaction between clay and LDPE matrix.