Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol.48, No.5, 902-911, 2008
Preparation and characterization of functionalized low density polyethylene matrix biocomposites
The incorporation of cellulosic fibers into polyethylene matrices was studied in this work, by dispersion of fluff pulp from maritime pine in a hot polymer solution, followed by co-precipitation of the solid components by cooling at room temperature. The above method was found suitable for proper wetting and dispersion of fibers in the polymeric matrix, as compared with melt compounding. Unmodified low density polyethylene [LDPE], modified LDPE with maleic anhydride grafted linear low density polyethylene [M-LLDPE] and a copolymer of acrylic acid and n-butyl acrylate polyethylene [(AA/n-BA)-LDPE], were used as matrices for the preparation of fiber reinforced composites. The thermal properties of these composites were determined using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The incorporation of cellulosic fibers results in a decrease of the crystallinity of the polymer matrix, as they act as inert material. In addition, the appropriate tests were run in order to determine the density and tensile properties of the composite specimens prepared by compression molding, with filler content ranging from 10 to 40% (w/w). Composites based on modified LDPE showed improved mechanical properties. The Takayanagi model, applied to predict the Young's modulus of composites, was in very good agreement with the experimental data obtained in this work.