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Synergistic interaction of treatment and blending on the stability of high‐density polyethylene
Author(s) -
Jeyakumar D.,
Suresh G.,
Mukesh Doble
Publication year - 2012
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.35640
Subject(s) - high density polyethylene , materials science , polymer , polyethylene , starch , thermal stability , chromium , chlorine , chemical engineering , composite material , polymer chemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , metallurgy , engineering
Degradation of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) films blended with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% metal ions (MIs; chromium = 36%, silicon = 8%, aluminum = 4%, and chlorine = 2%) and 5, 10, and 20% potato starch were studied under two different abiotic treatment conditions (they were either heated to 70°C or exposed to UV at 300–400 nm) for a period of 100 days. The addition of metals did not affect the mechanical strength of the polymer, whereas starch blending did. The latter turned the polymer yellow. HDPE with MIs exhibited higher levels of oxidation than the other samples. UV treatment affected the mechanical strength of the MI‐blended HDPE more than the other additive or the thermal treatment. The formation of extractable oxygenated compounds and unoxidized low‐molecular‐weight hydrocarbons increased with increasing concentration of additives in HDPE. The surface energy in all cases increased; this indicated that the polymers turned hydrophilic. The maximum weight loss (28%) was seen in the 2% MI‐blended HDPE exposed to UV followed by the 20% starch‐blended polymer exposed to heat (24%). These results indicate a synergy between blending and the treatment strategy; this also suggests an optimal waste‐disposal strategy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012