Mechanical properties of low-density polyethylene filled by graphite nanoplatelets

Year: 2012

Authors: Carotenuto G., De Nicola S., Palomba M., Pullini D., Horsewell A., Hansen T.W., Nicolais L.

Autors Affiliation: Institute for Composites and Biomedical Materials, National Research Council, Piazzale Tecchio, 80, I-80125 Napoli, Italy;
Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli, Italy;
INFN Sezione di Napoli, Italy;
Group Materials Labs, Fiat Research Centre Scpa, Strada Torino 50, I-10043 Orbassano, Italy;
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Center for Electron Nanoscopy, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens-Lyngby, Denmark;
Center for Electron Nanoscopy, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;
Department of Material Engineering and Production, University ‘Federico II’ of Naples, Piazzale Tecchio, 80, I-80125 Napoli, Italy

Abstract: The mechanical properties of GNP/LDPE nanocomposites (graphite nanoplatelets/low density polyethylene) have been investigated, in order to establish the effect of nanoscale reinforcement within the polymer matrix. Results show that the presence of the filler does not involve a change in the microscopic structure of the polymer. However, on a macroscopic scale, GNPs limit the mobility of the polymer chains, resulting in an increase in stiffness for the final composite. Orientation of GNPs within the LDPE matrix is also an important issue that affects mechanical properties and it has been evaluated by testing nanocomposites made by different manufacturing techniques (compression moulding and blown extrusion). The comparison between the experimental data and the Halpin-Tsai model shows that the orientation of GNPs due to the extrusion process leads to values of tensile modulus higher than that obtained with the randomly oriented disposition resulting from the compression moulding technique.

Journal/Review: NANOTECHNOLOGY

Volume: 23 (48)      Pages from: 485705-1  to: 485705-8

KeyWords: graphite nanoplatelets; low density polyethylene;
DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/23/48/485705

ImpactFactor: 3.842
Citations: 60
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