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Graphite reinforced silane crosslinked high density polyethylene: The effect of filler loading on the thermal and mechanical properties
Author(s) -
Kourtidou Dimitra,
Symeou Elli,
Terzopoulou Zoi,
Vasileiadis Isaak,
Kehagias Thomas,
Pavlidou Eleni,
Kyratsi Theodora,
Bikiaris Dimitrios N.,
Chrissafis Konstantinos
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.25892
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , thermal conductivity , polyethylene , graphite , ultimate tensile strength , filler (materials) , silane , phase (matter) , organic chemistry , chemistry
Crosslinked polyethylene is a promising polymer regarding its mechanical properties and wear resistance, predominantly used in pipework systems. However, it suffers from low thermal conductivity, which limits its application in geothermal heating/cooling systems. In this work, crosslinked high‐density polyethylene (PEX) composites with spherical graphite (SG) as a reinforcing filler are examined in terms of their thermal and mechanical properties. Thermal conductivity measurements showed a significant improvement of the thermal conductivity of PEX with increasing filler content (40.6% augmentation for 5 wt% SG content), while the experimental data are in good agreement with the Chauhan theoretical model for spherical particles. Tensile tests revealed that the elastic modulus of PEX/SG composites presented a considerable improvement (23.6% augmentation for 5 wt% SG content). Various micromechanical models for the prediction of the composites' elastic behavior were applied to the experimental data, which present a satisfactory agreement with the Takayanagi I two‐phase model for low concentrations of SG, and the Takayanagi II two‐phase model for higher filler content.