Thermal stability, mechanical and adsorption resistant properties of HDPE/PEG/Clay nanocomposites on exposure to electron beam

The Influence of electron beam on behaviors of high density polyethylene/poly(ethyleneglycol)/organoclay nanocomposites has been studied. Nanocomposite compounds were prepared by melt intercalation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transition electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the combination of nanocomposite morphology. Thermal and mechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied by using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Young's modulus, tensile strength and hardness tests. The results show that at 500 KGy dose of irradiation the Young's modulus and tensile strength values have been enhanced in comparison with pure blend by cross-linking and the surface hardness of samples raises by increasing the clay content The samples with the clay content of 5 wt% in the matrix with 500KGy dose of irradiation have shown satisfactory thermal resistance. The irradiation at high levels has degraded the nanocomposites and an optimum dose must be employed to enhance their properties. The presence of poly(ethylene glycol) as a compatibilizer has improved the dispersion of clay layers into the matrix and has enhanced the mechanical properties and thermal resistance of nanocomposites. The presence of the clay in the matrix has increased the adsorption amount of xylene and toluene into the bulk of nanocomposites and the irradiation has decreased this capacity by the dose level.