Nanocomposite of erucamide-clay applied for the control of friction coefficient in surfaces of LLDPE

The industry of polymeric films has been seeking for practical and economical solutions to obtain high quality polymeric films, which comprises the evaluation of a multitude of parameters, such as mechanical and thermal properties and surface characteristics, among which the friction coefficient (FCO) is of great importance. In this work, LLDPE polymeric films were prepared with the addition of erucamide and commercial organophilic montmorillonite nanoclay Cloisite 20A nanocomposites in the concentrations of 5, 10 and 15%. The films were shaped in a single screw balloon tube extruder, then characterized via Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Friction Coefficient (FCO), brightness, opacity and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The results indicated a decrease in and stabilization of the friction coefficient, and allowed an evaluation of the effect of the nanocomposite on the surface of the polymeric films, which involved an increase in brightness and decrease in opacity and roughness.