Low density polyethylene–montmorillonite nanocomposites for film blowing

Low density polyethylene nanocomposites were prepared using differently modified montmorillonite (MMT) and different compatibilizers. The best results were obtained for MMT with largest gallery distance. The most exfoliated system was further optimized for superior mechanical properties by varying the compounding condition. The criteria were mechanical properties of nanocomposites and X-ray proofs of exfoliation. The optimized nanocomposites were used for film blowing. The effect of blow ratio on mechanical properties and oxygen permeation of films was evaluated for two best nanocomposites and two films blown from pristine polyethylene. The texture of crystalline phase of blown films was analyzed by X-ray pole figure technique, SAXS and AFM. Two components of texture were detected, the first component related to the molecular orientation of polyethylene by film blowing and take-up and the second connected with the formation of free surfaces of the film. The crystallinity degree from DSC and long period determined from SAXS of polyethylene component were nearly independent of the additives. It indicated that the compatibilizer was preferentially located around clay platelets and did not enter the amorphous layers of polyethylene. Also the orientation of clay platelets was determined by FTIR using 1080 cm−1 band characteristic for Si–O bonds. A clear correlation of oxygen permeativity of blown films with clay platelets orientation and degree of exfoliation was evidenced.