LLDPE matrix with LDPE and UV stabilizer additive to evaluate the interface adhesion impact on the thermal and mechanical degradation

Abstract

Abstract Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is a commodity material that has been increasingly used in various open environments owing to its versatile properties. The mechanical and thermal degradation and processability properties can be enhanced by blending with other polymers or using different types of fillers to adjust such properties to fit the required applications. The objective of this work is to investigate the polymer–polymer interface and compare it with the polymer–additive (microparticles) interface in terms of structural changes and the impact on the polymer environmental properties. The novelty of this work is how to control the adhesion at the interface to enhance selected properties of the polymer without compromising other properties. LLDPE dried resins were compounded with UV additive and different wt% content of LDPE resin separately in a twin-screw extruder at 180–200°C and 150 rpm rotating speed with a die head to produce 1 mm thickness sheets. Then the prepared specimens were cooled to ambient temperature for testing. The nuclear magnetic resonance results showed that LLDPE with microparticles has good phase adhesion compared to the blended samples with LDPE. Moreover, thermal gravimetric analysis showed that the blends decompose in two steps at high LDPE content. The morphological images revealed cavities in the microstructure of low weight percent blends inductive of the relatively weak interaction between the components. The present study conclusively demonstrates that the polymer matrix is more stable with microparticle fillers (UV stabilizer) additive than with LDPE, which impacts the environment durability for outdoor application.