Characterization and mechanical properties of high density polyethylene/silane montmorillonite nanocomposites

In order to understand and improve these soft and weak mechanical properties of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), we add a silane modifier (Nanocor I.31PS) Montmorillonite (MMT) as reinforcement material, then use two kinds of different surfactant: thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers (TPO) or Maleic Anhydride (MA), to join the pieces of HDPE together, making it possess polarization.After that, use a Plastograph-Mixer by the twin-screw mixed method to obtain standard shaped specimens of Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites (PCN) to prepare HDPE/MMT nanocomposites pellets. By adding the different weight percentages (1, 3, 5 wt.%) of MMT, and 2:1 ratio of MA and MMT, the layer distance of MMT and mechanical property of nanocomposites was investigated.The chemical structure and polymer morphology of these as-synthesized PCN specimens were characterized by wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, we prepare these experimental specimens in order to probe into its mechanical properties. These tests used are: layer distance of PCN, tensile, impact, shore-hardness, wearing tests, and so on.In addition, use XRD to accomplish the characterization analysis — comparing it to scatter and layer-distance. It is found that adding the MA into the MMT, layer-distance at 5 wt.% MMT increase from 2.11 nm to 3.55 nm; and add the TPO into the MMT, layer-distance at 5 wt.% MMT increase to the 2.66 nm.In the mechanical property, it is found that these specimens grafting with the MA have the following results: In the tensile test, the MMT weight percentage 3 wt.% has the best result, increased by 0.26%. In the shore hardness test, the MMT 3 wt.%, strengthened by 0.62%. In the wearing test, the MMT 3 wt.%, strengthened by 2.6%. Moreover, these specimens graft the TPO have the following results: In the impact test, the MMT 5 wt.% has the best result, increased by 16.96%. In the shore hardness test, the MMT 5 wt.% strengthens by 11.11%.