THE EFFECTS OF HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE ADDITION TO LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE POLYMER ON MECHANICAL, IMPACT AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

Polyethylene materials are the most widely used polymers which we encountered everywhere in our daily life. Some of the advantages of the polyethylenes are the diversity of production types, corrosion resistance, electrical insulation and recyclability. The main production methods are compression molding, transfer molding, rotational molding, injection molding, gas-assisted injection molding, extrusion and blown film extrusion techniques. It is possible to increase the mechanical properties of low density polyethylene materials by addition of high density polyethylene materials. Both polymer has same monomers but their chemical structure and bonding properties are different. Their physical properties can change with their chemical structure and bonding properties. In this study, 25%, 50% and 75% by weight of high density polyethylene were added to low density polyethylene. Granules were pre-mixed with a mechanical mixer before production of the samples. Plastic injection molding machine was used for specimen preparation. Density, hardness, tensile test, three-point bend test, compression test, tear test and Izod impact tests were performed. Densities and hardness values of the polymer blends decrease by the increasing amount of low density polyethylene. In general, it was observed that the mechanical properties of the polymer blends increase as the high density polyethylene content increase.