Flow properties of vacuum gas oil–low density polyethylene blends

In this paper, the viscous flow behaviour of Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO) with different fractions (0–10% wt.) of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) under dynamic shear has been investigated. Viscosimetry measurements of the blends at temperatures between 333 and 433 K using a BOHLIN Controlled Stress Rheometer, as well as compatibility studies using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were carried out. The effects of the variation of the blends polymer content on the activation energy of flow has also been investigated. The results obtained reveal that the blends show Newtonian flow behaviour at higher temperatures for all polymer concentrations studied, while at lower temperatures and at higher polymer concentrations, they show non-Newtonian shear-thinning behaviour. Furthermore, at lower temperatures, these behaviours are more pronounced at lower shear rates than at higher shear rates. As the polymer content in the blend is increased, the shear viscosity increases, the flow behaviour index decreases, and the application of an Arrhenius type equation shows an increase in the activation energy of flow at the lower shear rates.