Thermal Behavior, Mechanical Property and Microstructure of Low-Density Polyethylene Filled by Diatomite

Abstract

Diatomite was treated by titanate coupling agent and blended with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by the method of melt-mixing blend. The performance of the blends, such as thermal behavior, mechanical property and microstructure, were analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry, thermo-gravimetric analysis, tensile strength testing and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that influenced the crystalline behavior of LDPE phase in the blends and made the crystallization rate of LDPE phase decreased. Moreover, the thermo-decomposing temperature of the blends increased with increasing the diatomite content, diatomite significantly improved the thermal stability of the blends. Tensile strengths of the blends firstly decreased and then increased. When the diatomite content was 30%wt, the tensile strength of the blend reached to 14.6MPa. SEM photographs showed the good dispersion and interaction.

Effect of the Chemical Modification of Diatomite/Isotactic Polypropylene Composite on the Rheological, Morphological and Mechanical Properties

“…Both factors, namely the amount of reinforcing filler and the chemical modification, showed a synergistic effect. This synergistic effect was also described by the study of the research reported in [26][27][28].…”