Papers by Keyword: Melt Blending

Abstract: The utilization of recycled materials in the production of plastic products is an environmentally conscious and economically viable approach. This study delves into the mechanical and flow properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) blends, comparing virgin low-density polyethylene (vLDPE), recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE) and vLDPE/rLDPE blends with different ratio (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, 0/100) for the purpose of reprocess into variable high-quality end products with minimal modification. Mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus, were examined to assess the suitability of rLDPE in comparison to its virgin counterpart. Our results demonstrate that vLDPE/rLDPE blend exhibits mechanical properties comparable to those of vLDPE, suggesting its potential as a sustainable alternative for reprocessing. Flow properties, specifically melt flow index (MFI), were also assessed to evaluate the processability of the LDPE blends. The findings reveal that the flow properties of LDPE blends are within an acceptable range for extrusion moulding, indicating that these materials can be effectively processed without major adjustments to manufacturing processes. This research underscores the feasibility of incorporating rLDPE into vLDPE for reprocessing into variable products, offering both economic and environmental advantages. By extending the lifecycle of LDPE materials through recycling, we can contribute to reducing waste and the overall environmental footprint while maintaining the desired mechanical and flow properties for high-quality end products.

Abstract: In this study, a series of nanocomposites were prepared by melt-blending method using Nylon (Nylon12, PA12) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with various contents such as 0.0 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 1.0 wt.%, 3.0 wt.%. In order to improve the dispersion of MWCNTs in composites, the MWCNTs were first acid treated by the HNO₃ solution to functionalize the carboxylic groups on the surface. Subsequently, this acid treated MWCNTs were reacted with Polyetheramine (Jeffamine^® M2070) and Polyethylenimine under mild conditions, respectively, to obtain the chemically modified MWCNTs (M-M2070 and M-PEI). The amide groups formed on these chemically modified MWCNTs will enhance the compatibility of MWCNTs and Nylon. The effects of different modification methods on the thermal properties, mechanical properties and electrical resistance of these Nylon12/MWCNTs composites were investigated. The results showed that M-M2070 and M-PEI dispersed in Nylon12 homogeneously, and can improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the composite materials effectively. The DMA analysis revealed that the storage moduli of nanocomposites were increased with increasing MWCNTs content. Among all, the nanocomposites containing 3wt% of M-M2070 and M-PEI were shown increased storage moduli 48.2% and 29.8%, respectively. TGA analysis showed that pyrolysis temperature of neat Nylon12 was 412.7 °C, and was increased about 43 °C by addition of M-M2070 and 36.7 °C by addition of M-PEI. Moreover, the surface resistance of neat Nylon12 was 1.68×10¹⁴ ohm/sq, and was decreased to 1.33×10⁵ and 4.34×10⁶ ohm/sq by addition of 3wt% M-M2070 and M-PEI, respectively. The resistance values of these nanocomposites have achieved the level of static dissipation, and can prevent the harm of static electricity.

Abstract: The trend of using natural fibers as green filler in the fabrication of polymer composites is increasing. One of these natural fibers is date palm fiber (DPF). Date palm fiber is considered as agricultural waste in certain areas, such as Middle East countries. Therefore, the utilization of this fiber in the composites fabrication is an interesting topic of research. In the current study, composites were prepared by melt blending DPF with high density polyethylene (HDPE). Five different DPF loadings were studied (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 wt%). The effect of the DPF loadings on the mechanical properties and water absorption behavior of the composites were investigated. The tensile test result showed that tensile strengths of all the composites samples were all higher than the neat HDPE with the maximum improvement was achieved at the DPF loading of 5 wt% (i.e. DFC-5), which was about 19.23 MPa (138% higher than the neat HDPE). Whereas, the flexural test result showed that the flexural strength of the composites slightly increased compared to that of the neat HDPE only until 5 wt% DPF loading (i.e. DFC-5). Afterward, the flexural strength of the DFC-10 was equal to that of the neat HDPE, and decreasing with further increase of DPF loadings. Additionally, the water absorption test result showed that the water absorption rate and uptake of water (at equilibrium) increased with the increase of DPF loading.

Abstract: PLA has limited applications due to its inherent brittleness, toughness and low elongation at break. One of the options for improvement is through blending with polyoxymethylene (POM). Melt blending of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyoxymethylene (POM) at 90/10 PLA/POM composition was carried out in a twin-screw extruder. The PLA/POM was loaded with 1 – 5 wt.% of nanoclay (Cloisite C20). The blends were then characterized for mechanical, morphological, chemical and thermal properties. It was found that tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break improved when the loadings of nanoclay were increased. Chemical analysis by FTIR revealed that PLA/POM blend is immiscible.

Abstract: A totally green biocomposite was prepared via melt blending technique by using polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) as a matrix, clamshells powder (CaCO₃) as a reinforcing filler and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a binder. PHB/CaCO₃ was fixed at 70:30 ratio and PVP weight content varied at 3, 5, 7 and 9 wt%. The properties of the biocomposite have been studied in term of mechanical properties and morphology. The results showed that incorporation of PVP increased the tensile modulus which remarkably demonstrated by the enhancement in stiffness of the biopolymer. While, elongation at break decreased in an opposite behavior. Surface morphology observation on the tensile fracture samples shows the presence of microvoids, due to binding effect of the PVP.

Abstract: The aim of the research is to study the effects of compatibilizer on thermal and mechanical properties ofbiopolymer poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) blends. PLA was blended with NR in the composition of 95/5 weight percentage with present of compatibilizer. The compatibilizers, PLA grafted maleic anhydride (MA) (PLA-g-MA) and NR grafted MA (NR-g-MA) were synthesized in a composition of 9 phr of MA by using internal mixer in presence of benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The formulations of PLA/NR blended with the compatibilizer were in the range of 1, 3, 5 and 10 wt.% of PLA-g-MA and NR-g-MA, respectively. Blending process was conducted using twin screw extruder then were pelletized and hot pressed before characterized. The mechanical (tensile, flexural, impact) and thermal properties of the blends was investigated and from the results, the addition of PLA-g-MA in PLA/NR blendimproved the impact strength and elongation at break of the blends as compared with neat PLA and PLA/NR blend without compatibilizer and for thermal stability, it only had a slight influence on the blends. Addition of NR-g-MA on contrary did not give improvement on mechanical properties but increasing in thermal stability.

Abstract: InIncorporation and dispersion of particulate fillers are the two steps that are necessary to achieve optimum properties in a rubber compound, i.e. mechanical, thermal properties. The incorporation and dispersion of particulate fillers depend on their particle size, smaller particle size is difficult to incorporate but easier to disperse in a rubber matrix while large dimension particle size filler are easier to incorporate but difficult to disperse. Hence, in the current work we have studied different methods of incorporating nano particles in to the matrix of styrene butadiene rubber and further rubber nanocomposites obtained were characterized for curative properties using, remote, thereafter determined for structural elucidation by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal properties through thermal gravimetric analysis, Physio-mechanical as well as morphology determination via transmission electron microscopy. In current work we have compared melt blending and solution blending methods for preparation of styrene butadiene rubber Nano Aluminium Tri hydroxide composites.

Abstract: nvestigation was done on the use of natural rubber (NR) as impact modifier in polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposite containing carboxylic functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as nanofillers. NR toughened PLA nancomposite consisting of 1 phr MWCNT and NR contents varies from 5 to 20 wt% were prepared by direct melt blending in a counter-rotating twin-screw extruder followed by injection moulding into test specimens for mechanical properties analysis. The tensile, flexural and impact test analysis were carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of PLA/NR/MWCNT nanocomposites at different loading of NR. As comparison, pure PLA, PLA/NR with 5 wt% NR and PLA/MWCNT with 1 phr nanotubes were also prepared with similar method. Results indicated that introduction of NR into PLA/MWCNT contributed to significant improvement in impact strength and ductility of the nanocomposite. Moreover, the deterioration effect of nancomposites stiffness, mechanical and flexural strength due to the introduction of NR was minimized with the presence of MWCNT in the nanocomposite system.

Abstract: Polycarbonate/poly (lactic acid)/(PC/PLA) blend is a kind of novel potential material for introducing the degradability of PLA to high performance PC. However, the bad compatibility between PC and PLA results in poor impact resistance and strength, which limits its applications. For resolving the problem, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) was added into blend to improve the mechanical properties, especially the toughness. Meantime, nanosized montmorillonite was also used as an additive for modifying the blend. The results showed that the the tensile and impact strength, the elongation at break of PC/PLA all be improved with the increase of LLDPE, the nanosized montmorillonite could also increase the strength of blends when the content is lower than wt5% of blends.

Abstract: Aliphatic polycarbonate Polycarbonate/poly (lactic acid)/(PPC/PLA) blends were prepared by melt blending, 1,2-propanediol isobutyl POSS (P-POSS) were added into the blends as a compatilizer and reinforcer. The morphologies, mechanical properties and rheological properties of blends were investigated systematically. The results showed that the adding of P-POSS could improve the compatibilization of PPC and PLA obviously. The thermal stability of the blends was enhanced but the crystallization was effected slightly. Moreover, the tensile strength and impact strength of blends exhibited a considerably increase.