Melt blending of ultra high molecular weight and high density polyethylene: The effect of mixing rate on thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties

Abstract

The blends of two different ultra high molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMWPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) were prepared in melt at different compositions and mixing rates in Brabender Torque Rheometer. The temperature build‐up due to the internal friction during melt blending was recorded and evaluated with respect to the change in the torque. The temperature at maximum torque was considered the fusion point temperature of the UHMWPE in the blend. This fusion point temperature was found to depend on the composition, mixing rate, and molecular weight. The effect of mixing rate on the mechanical properties (measured as yield and tensile strengths and elongation at break), thermal oxidative degradation and melting behavior were studied. The morphology of the blends were investigated by optical microscopy.

Effect of small amount of ultra high molecular weight component on the crystallization behaviors of bimodal high density polyethylene

“…Recently, Busby et al [16] obtained a novel nanostructured polymeric composite of polycarbonate (PC) and UHMWPE via a supercritical-fluid route. With regard to the blending of HDPE and UHMWPE, many research works have already been reported elsewhere [17][18][19][20][21]24,25]. For example, Tincer and Coskun [17] have prepared the blends of HDPE/UHMWPE at different compositions and mixing rates to study their mechanical properties, thermal oxidative degradation and morphologies.…”

“…With regard to the blending of HDPE and UHMWPE, many research works have already been reported elsewhere [17][18][19][20][21]24,25]. For example, Tincer and Coskun [17] have prepared the blends of HDPE/UHMWPE at different compositions and mixing rates to study their mechanical properties, thermal oxidative degradation and morphologies. Lim et al [20,21] have studied the suitability of HDPE/UHMWPE composites as biomaterials.…”

The Sliding Wear of Polypropylene and Its Blends

“…29 Therefore, low content of UHMWPE might be able to enhance PP even in the absence of compatibilizing agents under the conditions that the two components are mixed homogeneously. 30 The very high viscosity of UHMWPE in the molten state requires special processing methods. 30 In the case of PP/UHMWPE blend, the molten PP does not penetrate into the UHMWPE domains because of the poor miscibility of UHMWPE and PP.…”

Modification of polypropylene by melt vibration blending with ultra high molecular weight polyethylene

“…18 However, the very high viscosity of UHMWPE in the molten state requires special processing methods. 15 Besides the used conventional compression molding, screw or ram-extrusion, coarse powder blending followed by compression molding, solvent blending, melt mixing, and sequential loading blending, 19 some novel effective techniques in polymer processing have been introduced. For instance, HDPE prepared by shear controlled orientation in injection molding (SCORIM) exhibited a fourfold increase in Young's modulus and a fivefold increase in ultimate tensile strength compared to that prepared by conventional injection molding, which was attributable to an oriented shish-kebab structure morphology developed during shear flow.…”