Effect of Barium Sulfate Nanoparticles on Mechanical Properties and Crystallization Behaviour of HDPE

Abstract

High density polyethylene (HDPE)-based composites were prepared by blending HDPE with BaSO₄ nanoparticles, which had been treated with sodium stearate. Variations in crystallization behaviour, mechanical properties, storage modulus and damping parameter (tan d) with the addition of BaSO₄ nanoparticles were investigated by SEM, XRD, DSC, DMA, etc. The crystallization rate steadily increased with the content of BaSO₄ nanoparticles because of these nanoparticles acting as a heterogeneous nucleation agent. The impact strength of HDPE first increased and then decreased with increasing the content of BaSO₄ nanoparticles. The maximum impact strength of HDPE nanocomposites was achieved at a weight ratio of BaSO₄/HDPE = 1/100. However, the tensile yield stress gradually increased with the content of BaSO₄ nanoparticles. Dynamic mechanical analysis data showed an increase in the storage modulus of composites with increasing content of BaSO₄ nanoparticles. The tan d value of nanocomposites decreased in comparison to the neat HDPE. It was demonstrated that the BaSO₄ nanoparticles treated with sodium stearate had stronger effective interface interaction with HDPE matrix and adding 1.0 wt.% modified BaSO₄ nanoparticles could effectively reinforce HDPE matrix.