Accelerated weatherability of the low-density polyethylene nanocomposites with silica, clay, and zinc oxide

Abstract

Nanocomposites based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with MMT clay, nanosilica, and nanoscale zinc oxide (at 5 wt.%) were prepared by melt processing and evaluated for durability using laboratory accelerated weathering. The changes in tensile properties of the nanocomposites with the duration of exposure were compared to data from natural weathering outdoors. The enhancement of degradation rates of the LDPE matrix by the presence of nanofillers in accelerated weathering is reported.