Effect of thermal modification on rheological properties of polyethylene blends
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292 (Japan)
- Packaging and Industrial Materials Laboratory, Prime Polymer Co., Ltd., 3 Chigusa-kaigan, Ichihara, Chiba 299-0108 (Japan)
We examined the effects of thermal modification under flow field on the rheological properties of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) with high molecular weight, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and their blends, without thermal stabilizer. Although structural changes during processing are not detected by size extrusion chromatography or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, linear viscoelastic properties changed greatly, especially for the LLDPE. A cross-linking reaction took place, leading to, presumably, star-shaped long-chain branches. Consequently, the modified LLDPE, having high zero-shear viscosity, became a thermorheologically complex melt. Moreover, it should be noted that the drawdown force, defined as the uniaxial elongational force at a constant draw ratio, was significantly enhanced for the blends. Enhancement of elongational viscosity was also detected. The drawdown force and elongational viscosity are marked for the thermally modified blend as compared with those for the blend of thermally modified pure components. Intermolecular cross-linking reactions between LDPE and LLDPE, yielding polymers with more than two branch points per chain, result in marked strain-hardening in the elongational viscosity behavior even at small strain. The recovery curve of the oscillatory modulus after the shear modification is further evidence of a branched structure.
- OSTI ID:
- 22257751
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Rheology, Vol. 58, Issue 2; Other Information: (c) 2014 The Society of Rheology; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0148-6055
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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