An investigation of the improvements of mechanical and thermal properties of high-density polyethene/nano clay composites

The incorporation of different loadings of nanoclay (NC) into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was studied. A series of different ratios of NC (2, 4, and 8 wt %) in fixed particle size, 300μm was blended with HDPE matrix and prepared via melt mixing process. The tests of thermal decomposition behaviour of HDPE and HDPE composites were investigated by utilising thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The mechanical properties of HDPE reinforced with different ratios of nanoclay particles were determined by tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at break. The results of the TGA indicated that the highest thermal stability was shown by the HDPE treated with 8 wt % of NC. The tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at break were improved with increasing of NC loadings into HDPE matrix compared to that of HDPE without filler. The highest interfaces of nanoclay into the HDPE matrix were led to a decrease in the brittle behaviour and enhanced the high crosslinking of the HDPE matrix. The SEM micrographs showed that the HDPE/8 wt % more homogeneous and no voids on the surface by comparing to that of HDPE matrix.