Highly bulky spherosilicates as functional additives for polyethylene processing--Influence on mechanical and thermal properties

Authors:

• Dariusz Brząkalski,
• Robert Edward Przekop,
• M. Dobrosielska,
• Bogna Sztorch,
• Piotr Marciniak,
• Bogdan Marciniec

Abstract

In this work, a series of cage siloxanes (spherosilicate [SS] type) was tested as functional additives for preparation of polyethylene (PE)-based nanocomposites. For this purpose, the compounds were prepared by condensation and olefin hydrosilylation reactions. The effect of these products on properties of obtained nanocomposites was analyzed by means of mechanical, microscopic (scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy), crystallographic (X-ray diffraction), thermal (differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry), rheological Melt flow rate (MFR), and thermomechanical (heat deflection temperature) analyses. The results were compared with similar reports on silsesquioxane- and SS-reinforced PE systems. Effects of SS functional group structure on the behavior of the additive and properties of the composite system were discussed. Aspects of thermal decomposition of PE-containing SS were studied and a probable mechanism of these polymer systems degradation was proposed. © 2020 Society of Plastics Engineers