Characterization of mechanical properties: Low-density polyethylene nanocomposite using nanoalumina particle as filler

Abstract

Nanocomposites based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE), containing 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 wt of nanoalumina, were prepared by melt-mixing at 125°C and hot melt-pressing to thin polymer film at 125°C. To enhance the interfacial interaction between alumina and LDPE, alumina surface was treated with silane which acts as coupling agent. The effects of alumina additions to the structure and morphology of LDPE matrix were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The mechanical behaviour of nanoalumina-reinforced LDPE composite was studied using tensile tests, flexural tests, and impact tests. The interfacial adhesion between nano alumina particle and LDPE matrix was investigated. The result showed that the reinforcement performance of nano alumina to LDPE matrix was attributed to the interfacial adhesion between nanoparticle and polymer matrix. The addition of 1 wt nano alumina has successfully enhanced the mechanical properties of LDPE material. © 2012 Ching Yern Chee et al.