STUDY ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POLYMER COMPOSITES ON THE BASIS OF HIGH DENSIITY POLYETHYLENE AND MODIFIED SERICIT

Abstract

   This report dealt with the approach of using sericit as filler for high density polyethylene (HDPE). Sericite was modified by coating stearic acid with ethanol solvent. The polymer composites of HDPE/origin sericit (O-sericite) and HDPE/modified sericit (M-sericite) were prepared by melt-blending in a Haake intermixer. The relative Haake torques of the HDPE/O-sericite and HDPE/M-sericite composites were increased with increasing O-sericite and M-sericite content added into HDPE. The tensile tests showed that both O- and M-sericite can improve Young’s modulus of HDPE but they decreased the elongation at break of this polymer. The tensile strength of HDPE/sericite composites can be achieved stronger than HDPE when using upto 5 wt.% of O-sericit and 10 wt.% M-sericit. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the HDPE/sericite increased with increasing sericite content. However, the composites of HDPE/sericite could be still good dielectric materials. In comparison, HDPE/M-sericite composites exhibited some better properties than HDPE/O-sericite composites.Keyword: Sericit, stearic acid modified sericit, HDPE, mechanical properties, dielectrical properties