Synergistically toughening high-density polyethylene with calcium carbonate and elastomer

The microstructure, impact strength, and rheological properties of blends consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and maleated poly (ethylene-octene) (POEg) and/or calcium carbonate (CaCO3) were investigated. The improvement of impact strength of HDPE/POEg was limited due to the high miscibility between them. The introduction of CaCO3 had a negative impact on the toughness of the matrix because of the poor interfacial adhesion. In ternary blends of HDPE/POEg/ CaCO3, an elastomer layer was formed around CaCO3 particles due to the strong interaction between POEg and CaCO3, which improves the HDPE-CaCO3 interfacial strength and the toughness of the blends. A significant enhancement of dynamic viscosity, storage modulus, and the low-shear viscosity were observed as the results of the high miscibility of HDPE with POEg and strong interaction between POEg and CaCO3. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.