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A maximum of 20% (w/w) lignin was used as a filler in low-density polyethylene (LDPE), together with 3–6% maleic anhydride-grafted LDPE as compatibilizer and 3–10% copper(II) sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O) as lignin’s dispersing agent. The resulting composites were investigated for both their mechanical properties and their melting point following the ASTM standards as well as their behaviour was compared with neat LDPE. The results reveal that addition of compatibilizer significantly improved the mechanical properties of lignin, yielding closer values to those of neat LDPE. In fact, the addition of 3% maleated polyethylene induced a 37% increase of the Young’s modulus, whilst 3% CuSO4·5H2O provides a good lignin dispersion. The above observations are further supported by the scanning electron micrographs of the blend specimens. Finally, the differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that the melting temperature and the crystallinity of LDPE slightly increase with the addition of 3% CuSO4·5H2O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomer and Cloisite are the popular commercial nanoclays (NC) available in the market. The mechanical properties of wood—plastic composite (WPC) based on linear low density polyethylene with or without wood fiber are compared for different added nanoclays. In addition, the moisture uptakes at 23°C and 45% RH and water uptake/loss after immersion in water are evaluated. I.34TCN type nanoclay as well as Cloisite Na+ lead to composites with superior mechanical properties and better water resistance behaviors compared to the other kinds of nanoclays. It should be noted that the discoloration occurs in WPC reinforced with unmodified NC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic studies of the effects of the concentrations of maleated polyethylene (MAPE) loading, the content and addition sequence of dicumyl peroxide, the content and type of nanoclay (NC), and aspen fiber loading on the mechanical properties of PE-aspen composites were undertaken with the objective to increase the impact strength as well as the tensile properties. In this article, the formation of an optimal compatibilizing system for the hybrid composite PE-aspen-NC by combining basic principles for compatibilization was investigated. Statistical approach experimentation using Statgraphics Centurion® with the objective to maximize both the tensile strength as well as the impact properties of natural fiber and nanoclay filled PE was applied to reach values well above that of virgin PE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the effect of blending method, the introduction method of initiator (dicumyl peroxide, DCP), and the blending time with antioxidant (Irganox) added on the mechanical properties of PP-Aspen composites with and without DCP, respectively are undertaken. An optimum blending time for the composite with Irganox is obtained. The optimum content of Irganox as well as pre-mixing and the final-step feeding-method of DCP are compared to that of conventional method of blending in order to achieve the optimum values of impact and tensile strength properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]