The Effect of Adding Halloysite Nanotubes as Filler on the Mechanical Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene

Reinforcing thermoplastic polymers with nanotubes or nanoplatelets to form nanocomposites is a way to increase the usage of polymeric materials in engineering applications by improving their mechanical properties. The contribution presents the results of research from basic processing and mechanical properties of nanocomposites. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) was used as a matrix for experiments. The material LDPE was modified by Halloysite nanotubes (HNT) with a mass share of 2, 4, 6 wt% of the matrix LDPE. Nanocomposites were filled with 5 wt% Polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PE-graft-MA) as a compatibility factor. The specimens were prepared by injection molding and their selected mechanical properties were tested by static tensile test, Charpy impact test and Shore hardness test.

European Union