MECHANICAL, DIFFUSION AND DEGRADATION PROPERTIES OF BLENDS OF CELLULOSE AND RECYCLED LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE

Abstract

This paper discusses the effect of Cellulose (CEL) concentration on mechanical, diffusion and degradation properties of Recycled Low Density Polyethylene (RHDPE). Injection molded blends of RLDPE and CEL were prepared in percentage ratios of 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15 and 80:20. Dynamic mechanical analysis, creep, diffusion, thermal degradation and biodegradation measurements were carried out on the molded samples. Three relaxation processes namely; α, β1 and β2 were observed. The α process is assigned to large scale chain motion where as β1 and β2 suggest lamellae shear of two different thicknesses. The intensities of the processes decreased with increase in cellulose loading whereas the temperature shifts were not observed. Creep strain increased moderately with increasing loading intakes while recovery decreased. Deformation behavior follows WLF law suggesting that free volume plays a crucial role. Water uptake was found to increase with cellulose loading. Weight change profiles for the blends at room temperature indicated that the diffusion is Fickian. Diffusion coefficient increased with CEL intake. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the decomposition trend shifted from one stage to two stage with increasing CEL intake. The models of analysis for DMA and Creep data were VFT and WLF respectively. Thermal degradation data was analyzed using Arrhenius laws while Fick’s laws were used in diffusion measurements. Energy is distributed through the three transitions on impact. Creep increases with CEL intake whereas recovery is improved. Diffusivity increases while thermal stability as well as toxic byproducts decreased with CEL intake. Degradation was enhanced with CEL intake thus the composites can be adopted by policy makers to minimize environmental pollution.