Morphological, mechanical, tribological, and thermal expansion properties of organoclay reinforced polyethylene composites

• Published in: Polymer engineering and science Vol. 53; no. 6; pp. 1279 - 1286
• Main Authors: Pöllänen, Maija, Suihkonen, Reija, Nevalainen, Katja, Koistinen, Arto P., Suvanto, Mika, Vuorinen, Jyrki, Pakkanen, Tuula T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.06.2013; Wiley; Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adhesion; Applied sciences; Clay; Clay (material); Composite materials; Composites; Composition; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Friction; Mechanical properties; Morphology; Nanostructure; Polyethylene; Polyethylenes; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Reinforced plastics; Technology of polymers; Tensile strength; Thermal expansion; Thermal properties; Thermal stresses; Tribology; Finland; Ethylene derivative copolymer; Organic clay; High density ethylene polymer; Mechanical properties; Dispersion reinforced material; Organic anhydride; Wear mechanisms; Experimental study; Compatibilizer; Functional polymer; Composite material; Tensile strength; Young modulus; Thermal properties; Morphology; Thermal expansion coefficient; Friction coefficient; Olefin polymer; Nanocomposite; Tribology
• ISSN: 0032-3888; 1548-2634
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.23376

The morphological, mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with organo‐modified nanoclay (3 and 6 wt%) were studied. A commercial maleic anhydride‐based polymeric compatibilizer (PEgMA) was used to improve the adhesion between the polyethylene and clay. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization of composites revealed that nanoclay exists mainly in a multilayered structure in the HDPE matrix. Mechanical testing of composites showed that Young's modulus and tensile strength increased with nanoclay content. Coefficients of the linear thermal expansion (CLTE) of HDPE–PEgMA–clay composites were slightly lower in the flow direction than those of HDPE–PEgMA. The tribological properties were measured in dry conditions against a steel counterface. The friction coefficient of the matrix was decreased by the addition of clay. Electron microscopic results suggested that the wear mechanism for HDPE and HDPE composites was mainly adhesive. Clay agglomerates were observed on the worn surfaces of the composites, which may partly explain decreased friction. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers