Additive-like amounts of HDPE prevent creep of molten LDPE: Phase-behavior and thermo-mechanical properties of a melt-miscible blend
Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2017

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is the preferred type of polyolefin for many medical and electrical applications because of its superior purity and cleanliness. However, the inferior thermo-mechanical properties as compared to, for example, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which arise because of the lower melting temperature of LDPE, constitute a significant drawback. Here, we demonstrate that the addition of minute amounts of HDPE to a LDPE resin considerably improves the mechanical integrity above the melting temperature of LDPE. A combination of dynamic mechanical analysis and creep experiments reveals that the addition of as little as 1 to 2 wt% HDPE leads to complete form stability above the melting temperature of LDPE. The investigated LDPE/HDPE blend is found to be miscible in the melt, which facilitates the formation of a solid-state microstructure that features a fine distribution of HDPE-rich lamellae. The absence of creep above the melting temperature of LDPE is rationalized with the presence of tie chains and trapped entanglements that connect the few remaining crystallites.

thermo-mechanical properties

creep

tie chains

miscible polyethylene blend

phase behavior

Författare

Mattias Andersson

Chalmers, Kemi och kemiteknik, Tillämpad kemi

Jonna Hynynen

Chalmers, Kemi och kemiteknik, Tillämpad kemi

Mats Andersson

Chalmers, Kemi och kemiteknik, Tillämpad kemi

Per Ola Hagstrand

Borealis GmbH

Thomas Gkourmpis

Borealis GmbH

Christian Müller

Chalmers, Kemi och kemiteknik, Tillämpad kemi

Journal of Polymer Science, Part B: Polymer Physics

0887-6266 (ISSN) 1099-0488 (eISSN)

Vol. 55 2 146-156

Ämneskategorier

Kemi

DOI

10.1002/polb.24262

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Senast uppdaterat

2023-10-09