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Shear and elongational behavior of linear low‐density and low‐density polyethylene blends from capillary rheometry
Author(s) -
Müller A. J.,
Balsamo V.,
Silva F. Da,
Rosales C. M.,
Sáez A. E.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760341904
Subject(s) - low density polyethylene , linear low density polyethylene , rheometry , materials science , rheology , extensional viscosity , composite material , polyethylene , shear (geology) , viscoelasticity , viscosity , shear viscosity
In this work we present an experimental study of shear and apparent elongational behavior of linear low‐density (LLDPE) and low‐density (LDPE) polyethylene blends by means of capillary rheometry. The characterization of these rheological properties is crucial in the design of a blend that combines the ease of processing of LDPE with the mechanical advantages of the LLDPE. Two different low‐density polyethylenes and one common linear low‐density polyethylene were used to prepare the blends. The results obtained indicate a strong sensitivity of the rheology of the blend to changes in the molecular weight of the LDPE employed. For the higher molecular weight LDPE, the shear viscosity of the blend was essentially equal to that of the LDPE homopolymer up to a concentration of 25% of LLDPE, whereas the apparent extensional viscosity was appreciably lower. For the lower molecular weight LDPE, the same trend was obtained regarding the shear viscosity, but in this case the apparent extensional viscosity of the blend was somewhat higher than that of the LDPE homopolymer.