Role of Cured Epoxy and Block Copolymer Addition in Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polyethylene

Abstract

This work aims to investigate the role of epoxy addition in high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix. The block copolymer polyethylene-b-poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG-co-PE) was used as a compatibilizer. The samples were obtained by melt mixing using a torque rheometer. Instrumental nanoindentation was used to determine Young's modulus and nanohardness, thermal properties were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and phase morphology was investigated through transmission and scanning electronic microscopy. The epoxy addition increased HDPE crystallinity by 13% and Young's modulus by 8%. The addition of PEG-co-PE decreased the size of dispersed phase by approximately 50% and improved phase adhesion and homogeneity compared to the blends without block copolymer. The experimental results were compared to numerical results obtained from the use of the homogenization by asymptotic expansion approach. The numerical results presented a fair agreement to the experimental values.

A multiscale topology optimisation framework for hollow spheres as cellular materials

“…The notation, derivation of the equilibrium problems, and the finite element (FE) solution are based on [43,[45][46][47].…”

Compatibilization of epoxidized triblock copolymer on the generation of self‐assembled nanostructured epoxies and their surface wettability

“…[21][22] Recently Silva and coworkers have studied the role of cured epoxy resin on the morphology, and thermal properties of polyethylene while Lie and co-workers reported the influence of wormlike nanostructured morphology on the mechanical properties of epoxy/amphiphilic polydimethylsiloxaneblock-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PDMS-PCL) block copolymer system. 23,24 Serrano et al and Ocando et al have discussed in detail the synthesis techniques for nanostructured thermosetting system by using epoxidized styrene-butadiene (SB) and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) block copolymer and they have achieved the maximum epoxidation degree, 75% in SB block copolymer. [15][16][25][26][27] However, the maximum epoxidation degree in SBS tri block copolymer reported in the literature is 47%.…”