Characterization of LDPE reinforced with calcium carbonate—fly ash hybrid filler
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Date
2014
Authors
Adeosun, S.O.
Usman, M.A.
Akpan, E.I.
Dibie, W.I.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering
Abstract
The synergetic effect of calcium carbonate (CC)-fly ash (FA) hybrid filler particles on the mechanical and physical properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE) has been investigated. Low density polyethylene is filled with varying weight percentages of FA and CC using melt casting. Composites are characterized for mechanical, thermal, microstructural and physical properties. Results show that the flexural strength increases with increases in FA content of the hybrid filler. It is evident from the study that to achieve optimum density a certain combination of both fillers need to be used. The optimum combination of CC and FA for a higher density (1.78 g/cm3) is found to be at 20
wt% FA and 30 wt% CC. An increase of 7.27% in micro-hardness over virgin polyethylene is obtained in composites with 10 wt% FA and 40 wt% CC. The presence of higher amount of CC is seen to be detrimental to the crystallinity of composites. X-ray, FTIR and DSC results show that composite with 45 wt% CC and 5 wt% FA exhibits a typical triclinic polyethylene structure indicating that the composite is amorphous in nature. There was the synergy between FA and CC fillers on flexural strength and crystallinity of composite. However, the fillers show the antagonistic effect on energy at peak and micro-hardness.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Calcium carbonate , Coal fly ash , Crystalinity , Melt flow index , Energy at peak , Micro-hardness , Research Subject Categories::TECHNOLOGY
Citation
Adeosun, S.O, Usman, M.A., Akpan, E.I., Dibie,W.I. (2014). Characterization of LDPE reinforced with calcium carbonate—fly ash hybrid filler. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, 2: 334-345