Rotational Molding of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Fumed Silica Nanocomposites

Abstract

Abstract This paper deals with investigations of rotational molding of LLDPE – Fumed Silica (FS) nano composites. The investigations were conducted at an industrial scale using a three arm biaxial rotational molding machine by carefully monitoring the Internal Air Temperature (IAT) within the mold. The effect of 4% FS on powder flow quality (dry flow and bulk density), melt flow quality (Melt Flow Index (MFI), static mechanical properties (tensile strength, modulus, toughness, flexural strength and impact strength) as well as dynamic mechanical properties (storage and loss modulus), along with creep and relaxation were investigated. Morphological studies were conducted to correlate the above findings with the dispersion of the nano particles within the LLDPE matrix.