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Structure, mechanical, and electrical properties of high‐density polyethylene/multi‐walled carbon nanotube composites processed by compression molding and blown film extrusion
Author(s) -
Xiang Dong,
HarkinJones Eileen,
Linton David,
Martin Peter
Publication year - 2015
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.42665
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , compression molding , extrusion , high density polyethylene , carbon nanotube , composite number , molding (decorative) , annealing (glass) , blow molding , polyethylene , extrusion moulding , electrical conductor , electrical resistivity and conductivity , mold , electrical engineering , engineering
The structure and properties of melt mixed high‐density polyethylene/multi‐walled carbon nanotube (HDPE/MWCNT) composites processed by compression molding and blown film extrusion were investigated to assess the influence of processing route on properties. The addition of MWCNTs leads to a more elastic response during deformations that result in a more uniform thickness distribution in the blown films. Blown film composites exhibit better mechanical properties due to the enhanced orientation and disentanglement of MWCNTs. At a blow up ratio (BUR) of 3 the breaking strength and elongation in the machine direction of the film with 4 wt % MWCNTs are 239% and 1054% higher than those of compression molded (CM) samples. Resistivity of the composite films increases significantly with increasing BURs due to the destruction of conductive pathways. These pathways can be recovered partially using an appropriate annealing process. At 8 wt % MWCNTs, there is a sufficient density of nanotubes to maintain a robust network even at high BURs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 42665.