Effectiveness of functionalized polyolefins as compatibilizers for polyethylene/wood flour composites

摘要

The effects of various types of compatibilizerson the mechanicla properties of high-density polythylene/wood fluor (HDPE/WF) composite were investigated. Functionalized polyolefins such as maleated and acrylic acid grafted polyethylnees,maleated polypropylene (PPgMA) and styrene-ethylene/butylene-stryrene triblock copolymer (SEBSgMA) were incorporated to reduce the interfacial tension between the polymer (SEBSgMA) were incorporated to reduce the interfacial tension between the polyethylene matrix and the wood filler. Among them,it was found that maleated linear low-sensity polyethylene (LLDPEgMA) gave maximum tensile and impact strength of the composites,presumably because of better compatibility with the HDPE matrix. Similar but less enhanced improvements in the mechanicla properties,depending on the compatibilize rloading,were seen for the SEBSgMA system. Whereas acrylic acid grafted high-density polyethylene (HDPEgAA) and maleated polypropylene (PPgMA) only slightly improved tensile modulus and tensile strength;and they both increased with increasing loadings of compatibilizers. A scanning electron microscopic study was employed toreveal the interfacial region and confirm these findings. Inaddition,dynamical mechanical thermla measurements also revealed the interaction between filler and matrix,and FTIR spectroscopy was used to assign the chemical fixation and the various chemicalspecies involved at the surface of the wood fillers before and after surface treatment.