Mechanical Properties and Creep Behavior of Rotationally Moldable Linear Low-Density Polyethylene-Fumed Silica Nanocomposites

Rotationally moldable linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is one of the most popular materials used for rotational molding. Yet, incorporation of additives is necessary to improve the mechanical, visco-elastic, thermal as well as melt flow properties of LLDPE. In this article, the influence of fumed silica (FS) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties viz. tensile, flexural, and impact strengths of rotationally moldable LLDPE is investigated. The microstructural studies using SEM were conducted to study the dispersion of FS in LLDPE and correlated with the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were also carried out to find the time-temperature dependent mechanical properties viz. storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E ''), and tan delta between 1 and 8 wt% of FS. DMA studies were extended to perform accelerated stepped isothermal creep studies to find out the influence of FS in creep strains. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:421-430, 2017. (C) 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers