Synthesis and characterization of polyethylene/oxidized polyethylene miscible blends and role of OPE as a viscosity control

2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Polymer blending allows for new materials to be designed with unique properties. Here, blends of linear low density polyethylene (PE) and oxidized polyethylene (OPE) have been prepared. PE/OPE blends are characterized for their molten state properties by thermal analysis and rheology; the solid state properties are studied by scattering, diffraction, and tensile testing. Melt miscibility was confirmed by a negative Flory-Huggins interaction parameter ( -2.3) from Hoffman-Weeks plots. Additionally, a continuous decrease in melting temperature (from 123 to 119 C) and thermal stability of blends (25% weight loss from 454 to 416 C) was observed with increasing OPE loading from 0 to 50 wt %. Time-temperature master curves revealed the shifting of the glassy region to higher frequencies and formation of relaxed polymer chains in the glassy region. A plasticization effect was observed with zero shear viscosity of the blends decreasing with increasing OPE loading. Finally, a decrease in lamellar thickness of PE (from 180 to 140 ) with increasing OPE resulted in increasing the blends' brittleness.

Synthesis and characterization of polyethylene/oxidized polyethylene miscible blends and role of OPE as a viscosity control Academic Article