Influence of carbon nanotube–polymeric compatibilizer masterbatches on morphological, thermal, mechanical, and tribological properties of polyethylene

Study was made of the effect of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polymeric compatibilizer on thermal, mechanical, and tribological properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE). The composites were prepared by melt mixing in two steps. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were melt mixed with maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PEgMA) as polymeric compatibilizer to produce a PEgMA–CNT masterbatch containing 20 wt% of CNTs. The masterbatch was then added to HDPE to prepare HDPE nanocomposites with CNT content of 2 or 6 wt%. The unmodified and modified (hydroxyl or amine groups) CNTs had similar effects on the properties of HDPE–PEgMA indicating that only non-covalent interactions were achieved between CNTs and matrix. According to SEM studies, single nanotubes and CNT agglomerates (size up to 1 μm) were present in all nanocomposites regardless of content or modification of CNTs. Addition of CNTs to HDPE–PEgMA increased decomposition temperature, but only slight changes were observed in crystallization temperature, crystallinity, melting temperature, and coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE). Young’s modulus and tensile strength of matrix clearly increased, while elongation at break decreased. Measured values of Young’s moduli of HDPE–PEgMA–CNT composites were between the values of Young’s moduli for longitudinal (E11) and transverse (E22) direction predicted by Mori-Tanaka and Halpin–Tsai composite theories. Addition of CNTs to HDPE–PEgMA did not change the tribological properties of the matrix. Because of its higher crystallinity, PEgMA possessed significantly different properties from HDPE matrix: better mechanical properties, lower friction and wear, and lower CLTE in normal direction. Interestingly, the mechanical and tribological properties and CLTEs of HDPE–PEgMA–CNT composites lie between those of PEgMA and HDPE.