Mineral fillers in low density‐polyethylene films

Abstract

The use of fillers is an established method of modifying the properties of plastics. The recent increase in prices of plastic raw materials and the new developments in compounding technology have heightened the interest of the plastic industry in compounds of fillers and polyethylene. This article discusses briefly the literature dealing with the effect of fillers on the properties of polyethylene, and research carried out on the effects of different mineral fillers, talcs, micas, clays, wollastonite and dolomite on the many properties of low density polyethylene films. The fine grade talcs have proved to be better than the other fillers with respect to most film properties. The platy talcs decreased the oxygen permeability by as much as 80 percent and the water vapor transmission rate by as much as 70 percent. With talcs, clays and dolomite the yield strength increased but with all fillers the tensile strength at break weakened with increasing filler content. A low elongation at break and a low tearing, resistance indicate the brittleness of the films especially at high filler contents (over 30 wt percent). The coefficients of friction decreased considerably with all fillers and a significant improvement in printability was achieved. However, none of the fillers had more than a very minor effect on the heat sealability of low density polyethylene.

Mechanical, Thermal and Rheological Properties of Polyethylene-Based Composites Filled with Micrometric Aluminum Powder

“…Moreover, MFR and MVR are important technological parameters used to adjust processing parameters for a particular composition. It can be seen that the incorporation of aluminum filler did not result in a significant drop in the melt flow index, which is often observed for polymer composites [40]. Moreover, a slight increase in these parameters was noted for low contents of filler up to 2 wt%.…”

Influence of talc with different particle sizes in melt‐mixed LLDPE/MWCNT composites

“…The zero layer charge, the absence of any interlayer covalent bonding, and the weak van der Waals attractions between the layers allow for the delamination of talc in polymer matrices at low shear forces. Hence, talc is widely used to improve the mechanical properties and the thermal properties of polyolefins, in addition to reducing the cost of the composites. Bao et al showed that the addition of 20 wt % talc (1250 mesh, D 99 = 10 μm) in PP/MWCNT composites prepared by melt‐mixing lowers the percolation threshold.…”

Positron Lifetime Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetric study of polystyrene‐based composites with fly ash, cenospheres, and calcium aluminosilicate as fillers

“…Composites of polymers with particulate fillers have generated considerable interest owing to desirable improvement in certain properties for various applications. [5][6][7][8][9][10] In recent times, researchers are exploring the possible use of waste materials like fly ash (FA) and cenospheres (CS) in composites to produce good materials for a wide range of applications. [11][12][13][14] Coal fly ash can replace clay, sand, limestone, and gravel, and save the energy costs of mining such materials.…”