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Improving the rheology of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and processability of blown film extrusion using a new binary processing aid

  • Sarah Ramezan-Nejad , Somayeh Mohamadi EMAIL logo and Naser Sharifi-Sanjani
Published/Copyright: June 13, 2023
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International Polymer Processing
From the journal International Polymer Processing Volume 38 Issue 3

Abstract

To improve the processability of LLDPE, a binary processing aid composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hydrocalumite was designed. Hydrocalumite containing HPO32− was successfully synthesized with co-precipitation of calcium and aluminum hydroxide in the presence of phosphorous acid. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and Ion chromatography were utilized for the characterization of the synthesized hydrocalumite. SEM images showed the layered structure. Ion Chromatography demonstrated the molar ratio of Ca2+/Al3+ was 2:1.3 as an interlayer ion. The influence of PEG/hydrocalumite with the different ratios as a processing aid on the rheological properties of LLDPE was investigated by capillary rheometry. The results obtained showed that PEG/hydrocalumite processing aid with a ratio of 1:3 exhibited the best effect on the reduction of critical stress due to the best coverage of the extruder surface. The measurement of processing parameters in the blown film extruder revealed that hydrocalumite interacted with metallic oxides, created a slippery film layer on the die wall. This leads to a decrease in the die pressure and power consumption by 11% and 21%, respectively. SEM analysis confirmed a delay in Sharkskin instability at a higher shear rate.

Keywords: hydrocalumite; LLDPE; PEG; processing aid; rheological properties
Corresponding author: Somayeh Mohamadi, Research Center of Environment and Sustainable Development, Tehran, Iran, E-mail:

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Mr. Abbas Fatehi for conducting the preparation of compounds, Mr. Ashkan Asgharian for assisting in the synthesis of hydrocalumite, and Mr. Ali Pajohan for using a blown film extruder.

  1. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

  2. Research funding: None declared.

  3. Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

  4. Data availability: The data used to support the findings of this study are included within the article.

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Received: 2022-11-12
Accepted: 2023-02-26
Published Online: 2023-06-13
Published in Print: 2023-07-26

© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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https://doi.org/10.1515/ipp-2022-4309
Keywords for this article
hydrocalumite; LLDPE; PEG; processing aid; rheological properties

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Research Articles
  3. Experimental investigation and simulation of 3D printed sandwich structures with novel core topologies under bending loads
  4. Notable electrical and mechanical properties of polyacrylamide (PAM) with graphene oxide (GO) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)
  5. Study on the thermal stability and combustion performance of polyurethane foams modified with manganese phytate
  6. Improving the rheology of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and processability of blown film extrusion using a new binary processing aid
  7. Stereocomplex formation of a poly(D-lactide)/poly(L-lactide) blend on a technical scale
  8. Experimental investigation on mechanical and tribological characteristics of snake grass/sisal fiber reinforced hybrid composites
  9. Tensile properties of sandwich-designed carbon fiber filled PLA prepared via multi-material additive layered manufacturing and post-annealing treatment
  10. Non-isothermal simulation of a corner vortex within entry flow for a viscoelastic fluid
  11. Feasibility assessment of injection molding online monitoring based on oil pressure/nozzle pressure/cavity pressure
  12. Modelling of roller conveyor for the simulation of rubber tire tread extrusion
  13. Reactive compatibilization of polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride and styrene, prepared by a mechanochemical method, for a blend system of biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate)/polypropylene spunbond nonwoven slice
  14. Effect of stacking sequence and thickness variation on the thermo-mechanical properties of flax-kenaf laminated biocomposites and prediction of the optimal configuration using a decision-making framework
  15. Design and manufacture of an additive manufacturing printer based on 3D melt electrospinning writing of polymer
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