Preparation and mechanical properties of graphite filled HDPE nanocomposites

Abstract

Purpose: The design and manufacture of lightweight polymer composites with high electrical and thermal conductivity have been a research focus in recent years. In this study, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of nanocomposites formed by high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix and graphite powder filler material were determined. Design/methodology/approach: In this study the conductive filler was graphite with an average particle size of 400 nm and purity of 99.9%, the matrix material was high density polyethylene (HDPE) with a density of 0.968 g/cm3 and a melt index of 5.8 g/10 min, supplied by Petkim A.Ş.- Izmir. Nanocomposites containing up to 30 weight percent of graphite powder filler material were prepared by mixing them in a Brabender Plasticorder at 180°C for 15 minutes. Tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of nanocomposites formed were determined as functions of graphite powder content. Findings: An increase in tensile strength and modulus of elasticity was observed with increasing graphite powder content from 0 to 6%. However, for further increasing the graphite content, tensile strength decreases while modulus of elasticity continued to increase in the composite. Practical implications: Since natural graphite (NG) has a high electrical conductivity at room temperature, it is considered an ideal candidate for manufacturing conductive polymer composites. The recent advancement of nano-scale compounding technique enables the preparation of highly electrically conductive polymeric nanocomposites with low loading of conductive fillers. Nanocomposites may offer enhanced physical features such as increased stiffness, strength, barrier properties and heat resistance, without loss of impact strength in a very broad range of common synthetic or natural polymers. Originality/value: To see the effect of conducting fillers on mechanical properties of HDPE based nanocomposites, graphite particle 400 nm in size were used. © International OCSCO World Press. © 2013 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.