Polyethylene/Sepiolite Nanocomposites:Structure/Properties/Precessing Relationship

R. M. MARTINI; Y. ALONSO; A. TERENZI; J: KENNY; S. E. BARBOSA

Avances in MaterialsScience Research

Nova Science Publishers, Inc. New York

Año: 2016; p. 75 - 99

Polyethylene (PE) - sepiolite nanocomposites are very interestingmaterials because they combine their properties in a synergetic manner.Chemically, sepiolite is a hydrated magnesium silicate with the idealformula Si12Mg8O30(OH)4(OH2)4.8H2O. It is not a layered phyllosilicate,its structure can be considered a quincunx of talc type sheets. Theparticular arrangement of atoms produces a needle-like structure, insteadof typical plate-like one. The high surface area and porosity account for the remarkable adsorptive and absorptive properties of this clay. Inaddition sepiolite has good mechanical strength and thermal stability.These properties make sepiolite ideal for reinforcement of polymermaterials, which has been recently used for the reinforcement ofelastomers [1, 2], thermoplastic polymers [3], and biopolymers [4]. Onthe other hand, Polyethylene (PE) is considered one of the most usedthermoplastic commodity for both industrial and consumer products. Ithas good mechanical properties, chemical resistance and processability.Then, PE - sepiolite nanocomposites are very interesting materialsbecause they can combine their properties to obtain new materials withenhanced properties.In this chapter, is shown PE-sepiolite nanocomposites used in differentprocessing operations: injection molding, film and fiber formation. Thebehavior of the nanocomposite in each process is analyzed and discussed.Also, the final properties obtained are related with the resulting structureof the material. Several changes in PE crystallization, dispersion anddistribution of sepiolite nanofibers, alignments, etc. are included into thediscussion. Then, a complete characterization of each product is obtained,described and discussed even related with process operations.