Thermal, Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Low Density/Linear Low Density Polyethylene Blend for Packing Application

Abstract

Packaging is the subject of considerable commercial development by a variety of organizations around the world. In this study the mechanical, thermal and rheological properties were investigated for different blend ratios of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The weight percent of the LDPEs used in the blends were 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90. The polymer blends were prepared in a twin screw extruder to produce a thin sheet (1-mm thickness) similar to the packaging grade. Tensile results showed that the 50/50 composition exhibited the highest stress at break, where the differential scanning calorimetry results indicated a co-crystalline phase in some blends. The results produced by the rheometer revealed the LLDPE effect over the complex viscosity and consequently blend easy processing. The present study conclusively demonstrates that at low weight percent of linear low density polyethylene in the blend displays better properties for packaging application.