Dickite particles were modified by silane coupling agent, hexadecyl phosphate, oleic acid, and stearic acid (SA), respectively. Modified dickite was composed with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) to prepare a series of LLDPE/modified dickite composites. Hydrophilicity of modified dickite was characterized by dispersion experiments and contact angle tests. The results indicated that hydrophilicity of modified dickite decreases sharply, compared with nonmodified dickite. Among four modifying agents, SA had obvious effect on hydrophobic modification of dickite. Fourier-transform infrared spectra results suggested that chemical bonding between modifying agent and dickite was beneficial to the hydrophobic modification. Results of salt spray tests illustrated that the introduction of modified dickite into LLDPE improved the anticorrosion properties of the polymer universally. The anticorrosion mechanism of LLDPE/modified dickite was analyzed by scanning electron microscope micrograph. The mechanical properties of the resultant composites displayed a fact of reinforcement of modified dickite. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 3480-3488,2010