Elaboration de composites à base de PEBD

Abstract

The aim of this study concerns the preparation and the characterization of composites systems consisting of LDPE as a matrix reinforced by PET fibers and organophilic montmorillonite (MMTO). Because of the lack of affinity between the different components, PET fibers were submitted to two types of treatments, the first one is physical by using soda as a reagent, and the second is chemical by vinyltrimethoxysilane. LDPE/PET fiber and LDPE/MMTO interfaces have also been reinforced by maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA). To highlight the effects of MMTO and PET fiber rates before an after treatments and PE-g-MA addition, LDPE/PET fiber and LDPE/PET fiber/MMTO have been characterized by mechanical (tension, impact), structural (X-rays diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)), thermal (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)), and rheological tests by following torque variations and melt flow index measurements. XRD results showed that the inter-lamellate distances and the crystal size of LDPE are not influenced by the addition of the reinforcements, but noticeable variations are deduced on the crystallinity of the composites, as it is confirmed by the DSC results. Also, the results of the mechanical properties study revealed that the composites behavior at break is principally governed by the PET fiber rate and that the effect of the surface treatment is relatively slight, contrary to PE-g-MA which promotes the mechanical resistance.