Mechanical and thermal characteristics of high density polyethylene–fly ash Cenospheres composites

Fly ash Cenospheres was used as reinforcing filler in High density polyethylene (HDPE) to develop lightweight composites. Cenospheres are inert hollow silicate spheres. Cenospheres are a naturally occurring by-product of the burning process at coal-fired power plants, and they have most of the same properties as manufactured hollow-sphere products. Cenospheres are primarily used to reduce the weight of plastics, rubbers, resins, cements, etc. used extensively as filler lubricants in oil drilling operations under high heat and high stress conditions down the hole. Also used as oil well cementing, mud putty and similar applications. Cenospheres were first used in the United States as an extender for plastic compounds, as they are compatible with plastisols thermoplastics, Latex, Polyesters, Epoxies, Phenolic resins and urethanes. The compatibility of Cenospheres with special cements and adhesives coating and composites have been well identified. Cenospheres are widely used in a variety of products, including sports equipments, insulation, automobile bodies, marine craft bodies, paints, and fire and heat protection devices. Typically applied in gypsum board jointing compounds, veneering plasters, stuccos, sealants, coating and cast resins. Providing the advantages of reduces weight, increased filler loadings, better flow characteristics, less shrinkage and warping and reduces water absorption. In order to improve the interaction between the inorganic filler and the organic matrix, the Cenospheres were surface treated with silane coupling agent and HDPE-g-dibutyl maleate was used as compatibilizer. The tensile and thermal properties of the composites were measured according to ASTM methods. The results reveal that, both surface modification of Cenospheres accompanied by compatibilization led to the substantial improvement to mechanical properties and thermal stability of the composites.