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. 2022 Sep 6;14(18):3723.
doi: 10.3390/polym14183723.

Development and Characterization of LLDPE Blends with Different UHMWPE Concentrations Obtained by Hot Pressing

Pollyana Melo Cardoso  1   2   3 , Marcelo Massayoshi Ueki  2 , Josiane Dantas Viana Barbosa  3 , Willams Teles Barbosa  3 , Benjamin Lazarus  4 , Joyce Batista Azevedo  5
Affiliations

Development and Characterization of LLDPE Blends with Different UHMWPE Concentrations Obtained by Hot Pressing

Pollyana Melo Cardoso et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

To modify its characteristics, expand its applicability, and, in some cases, its processability, new blends using ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) have been developed. In this study, three different formulations of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and UHMWPE blends were prepared with 15, 30, and 45% (% w/w) UHMWPE in the LLDPE matrix. All mixtures were prepared by hot pressing and were immersed in water for one hour afterwards at a controlled temperature of 90 °C to relieve the internal stresses that developed during the forming process. The thermal characterization showed that the blends showed endothermic peaks with different melting temperatures, which may be the result of co-crystallization without mixing between the polymers during the forming process. The mechanical characteristics presented are typical of a ductile material, but with the increase in the percentage of UHMWPE, there was a decrease in the ductility of the blends, as the elongation at rupture of the blends was higher than that of the pure components. The morphologies observed by SEM indicate that there were two phases in the blends. This is the result of the system's immiscibility due to the mode of preparation of the blends, wherein the two polymers may not have mixed intimately, confirming the results found with the thermal analyses.

Keywords: LLDPE; UHMWPE; blends; hot pressing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Particle size distribution of LLDPE and UHMWPE.
Figure 2
Figure 2
SEM images of pure polymer powders: (a) LLDPE, (b) UHMWPE.
Figure 3
Figure 3
DSC curves of LLDPE, UHMWPE, and the blends: (a) first heating, (b) second heating, and (c) cooling.
Figure 3
Figure 3
DSC curves of LLDPE, UHMWPE, and the blends: (a) first heating, (b) second heating, and (c) cooling.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic diagram of the two stages in press molding, adapted from [32].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Typical stress–strain curve of LLDPE, UHMWPE, and the blends.
Figure 6
Figure 6
X-ray diffractograms of UHMWPE and the blends.
Figure 7
Figure 7
SEM micrographs of the UHMWPE and the blends. (a) UHMWPE, (b) 15 UHMWPE, (c) 30 UHMWPE, and (d) 45 UHMWPE.
Figure 8
Figure 8
SEM micrographs of the cryogenic fracture surface of the blends: (a) 30 UHMWPE and (b) 45 UHMWPE.
Figure 9
Figure 9
(a) SEM micrograph of the fracture surface of the UHMWPE particles and (b) mechanism of fracture of these particles, adapted from [36].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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