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Influence of nanoclay on properties of HDPE/wood composites
Author(s) -
Lei Yong,
Wu Qinglin,
Clemons Craig M.,
Yao Fei,
Xu Yanjun
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.27048
Subject(s) - high density polyethylene , materials science , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , crystallinity , wood flour , compounding , crystallization , polyethylene , absorption of water , thermal stability , flexural strength , flexural modulus , izod impact strength test , chemical engineering , engineering
Composites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE), pine flour, and organic clay were made by melt compounding and then injection molding. The influence of clay on crystallization behavior, mechanical properties, water absorption, and thermal stability of HDPE/pine composites was investigated. The HDPE/pine composites containing exfoliated clay were made by a two‐step melt compounding procedure with the aid of a maleated polyethylene (MAPE). The use of 2% clay decreased the crystallization temperature ( T c ), crystallization rate, and the crystallinity level of the HDPE/pine composites, but did not change the crystalline thickness. When 2% MAPE was added, the crystallization rate increased, but the crystallinity level was further lowered. The flexural and tensile strength of HDPE/pine composites increased about 20 and 24%, respectively, with addition of 1% clay, but then decreased slightly as the clay content increased to 3%. The tensile modulus and tensile elongation were also increased with the addition of 1% clay. The impact strength was lowered about 7% by 1% clay, but did not decrease further as more clay was added. The MAPE improved the state of dispersion in the composites. Moisture content and thickness swelling of the HDPE/pine composites was reduced by the clay, but the clay did not improve the composite thermal stability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007