Studies On The HDPE/Inorganic Fillers Blend Systems Through Ultraviolet/Ozone Irradiation

Through ultraviolet/ozone (UVO) irradiation, some oxygen containing polar groups are introduced onto the molecular chains of high density polyethylene (HDPE). The compatibility between irradiated HDPE and inorganic filler sericite-tridymite- cristobalite (STC) is thus remarkably increased, the dispersion of particle in the HDPE is improved and the mechanic properties of UVO-HDPE/STC blend system are improved greatly. The experimental results show that:1. Through ultraviolet/ozone irradiation, some oxygen containing polar groups including hydroxyl, ester, ketone, carboxylic acid and a, p-unsaturated carboxylic acid attributes to the FTIR absorption peak at 3532 cm-1, 1767 cm-1, 1730 cm-1, 1719cm-1 and 1697 cm-1 respectively are introduced onto the molecular chains of HDPE.2. In the beginning of reaction, the relative content of ketone is high then slow down, the relative content of hydroxyl, ester, carboxylic acid and a, P-unsaturated carboxylic acid increase gradually, especially the relative content of carboxylic acid increases rapidly, indicating that carboxylic acid is the main product in the irradiation reaction.3. Ester and carboxylic acid are introduced respectively onto the molecular chains of HDPE by UV photografting. Compare with ester, carboxylic acid is more helpful for improving the compatibility of HDPE/inorganic fillers system.4. UVO irradiation causes the degradation of HDPE in some degree, molecules degraded contain more relative content of oxygen containing polar groups areproduced.5. The shape of fillers, the particle size and distribution of particle size, the element composition of fillers have remarkable influences on the compatibility of HDPE/inorganic fillers systems.