The effect of low temperature air plasma treatment on physico-chemical properties of kaolinite/polyethylene composites

The effect of low temperature air plasma treatment on the physico-chemical properties of kaolinite/polyethylene composites was studied. Moreover, the kaolin powder was treated with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane as a coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion between powder filler and polymer matrix. The modification of the kaolin resulted in a notable improvement in the mechanical strength and elastic modulus of filled polyethylene composites, compared to the virgin polymers. Observed improvement of the tensile strength became more marked as the filler loading increased, indicating an improved degree of filler/matrix interaction. Simultaneously the improvement of the fracture toughness of prepared HDPE and LLDPE kaolinite composites was confirmed. Moreover, the morphology of the grains distribution and tensile fracture surface was examined by electron microscopy confirming excellent distribution of the filler in the polymer matrix.