Mechanical and morphological properties of HDPE : pp and LDPE : PP polymer blend composites reinforced with TiO2 particles

Abstract EN

In this research two groups of polymer blends have been prepared First group included (High density polyethylene (HDPE) : Polypropylene (PP)) While the Second group (included Low density polyethylene (LDPE) : Polypropylene (PP)) both groups prepared with polypropylene of (20 % and 80 %).

From the results of tensile test for the prepared blends it has been showed that the optimum blending ratio was (20 % LDPE : 80 % PP and 20 % HDPE : 80 % PP) which thenreinforced with (2, 5 and 8wt of titanium dioxide (TiO2), particle size (0.421μm).

Titaniaparticles were mechanically mixed with the polymers prior tomelt mixing for better dispersion.

Polymerblend composites were obtained by using single screw extruder.

Results showed that mechanical properties increased as titania content increased except elongation.

Furthermore the result recorded highest values ofimpact strength and fracture toughness at2 % wt TiO2which is 312 Mpa and 572.8Mparespectively, for the polymer blend (20%HDPE : 80 % PP) composite and for the polymer blend (20 %LDPE : 80 % PP) composites the impact strength and fracture toughness are 262.5 Mpa and 468 Mpa respectively.

The mechanical properties values of 20 %HDPE : 80 % PP is higher than 20 % LDPE : 80 % PP polymer blendcomposites.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imagesshowed that there isbonding developed between TiO2 and polymer blends in some regions.