Title of article :
Effect of Calcium Carbonate Incorporation on the Properties of Low Linear Density Polyethylene/Thermoplastic Starch Blends
Author/Authors :
zain, amirah hulwani mohd universiti malaysia perlis - school of materials engineering, Perlis, Malaysia , bin ab wahab, mohamad kahar universiti malaysia perlis - school of materials engineering, Perlis, Malaysia , ismail, hanafi universiti sains malaysia, engineering campus - school of materials and mineral resources engineering, Nibong Tebal, Malaysia
Abstract :
The characterisation of low linear density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch (LLDPE/TPS) composite with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) filler was investigated. LLDPE/ TPS composite with different CaCO3 loadings were prepared using HAAKE internal mixer at 145°C and rotor speed of 50 rpm. The first step includes the preparation of TPS using heated two roll mill at temperature of 150°C. All composites were characterised by Instron machine, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The result indicated that LLDPE/TPS blends with incorporation of CaCO3 gave higher value of tensile properties as compared to LLDPE/TPS blend. However, at higher CaCO3 (30%) loading, the particles tend to form the agglomeration within the matrix. The agglomeration formation decreases the mechanical properties of LLDPE/TPS composite by weakening the interfacial interaction between the matrix and the filler particle as shown in morphological study. The incorporation of CaCO3 particles also improve the thermal stability of LLDPE/TPS blends as shown in thermogravimetric curve.
Keywords :
LLDPE , thermoplastic starch , CaCO3 , mechanical properties , thermal properties
Journal title :
Journal of Engineering Science
Journal title :
Journal of Engineering Science
