Ternary composites based on HDPE and MaterBi reinforced with hemp fibres: Study of the non-isothermal crystallization

C. J. PÉREZ; V.A.ALVAREZ

JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2016 vol. 124 p. 499 - 508

1388-6150

The non-isothermalcrystallization process of biodegradable thermoplastic matrix (Mater-Bi®, MB)and traditional thermoplastic (high density polyethylene, polyethylene, PE)blends were studied using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Hemp fibres wereused as filler and maleic anhydride functionalized high density polyethylene(PE*) was employed as compatibilizer. SEM micrographs but also DSC studies showthat MB forms immiscible blend with PE. Both, the dispersed phase of molten MBacts as nucleating agent of PE enhancing the crystallization rate of PE andalso the solidified PE acts as nucleating agent by fastening thecrystallization of MB. The values of half-time of crystallization (t1/2) and the Zc parameterfrom Avrami`s method showed that, for a fixed cooling rate, the crystallizationrate, decreased with the incorporation of hemp fibres and with the addition ofthe compatibilizer, PE*; showing the retarding effect of both components. Avrami?smodel was found to provide a fairly satisfactory description of thecrystallization kinetics of the studied blends and composites. These resultsare further supported by the effective activation energy calculations obtainedby applying the iso-conversional method of Friedman. CTT diagrams of studiedmaterials were constructed and they also reflected the effects of eachcomponent on the other one but also of hemp fibres and the compatibilizer.