The effect of EVA content on the processing parameters and the mechanical properties of LDPE/ground tire rubber blends

In this work, thermoplastic elastomers were prepared based on low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and ground tire rubber (GTR). To improve the adhesion and achieve better rubber‐like properties, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) was selected and used as a compatibilizer. The GTR and EVA content were varied between 0–45 and 0–20 wt%, respectively. Blends with different composition were produced from the raw materials on a twin screw extruder. Tensile and instrumented falling weight impact (IFWI) specimens were injection molded from the granulated blends. Injection pressure and the shrinkage of the IFWI specimens were measured. Besides the tensile and IFWI tests, the cut cross‐sections were inspected with a scanning electron microscope. Based on the results, it can be stated that the application of EVA as a compatibilizer is essential for even lower weight percentage to ensure the rubber‐like properties, but as the EVA content is increased, only less additional improvement can be detected. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of high‐energy electron beam on low‐density polyethylene materials containing EVA

A series of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) blends with different amounts of ethylene–vinyl–acetate (EVA) was prepared and irradiated with 10 MeV electron beam in the range of 0–250 kGy at room temperature in air. EVA was used as a compatibilizer and softener in four different amounts: 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt %, based on polyethylene (PE). The crosslinking of the samples was studied on the basis of gel‐content measurements as well as some thermal and mechanical properties of the specimens. The results indicated that the LDPE and LDPE–EVA blends could be crosslinked by a high‐energy electron beam, of which their thermal and mechanical properties changed effectively, however, because of EVA content of the polymer; the blends were more sensitive to lower doses of radiation. These studies were carried out to obtain a suitable compound for heat‐shrinkable tubes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1049–1052, 2004     

Investigations of environmental stress cracking resistance of HDPE/EVA and LDPE/EVA blends

HDPE/poly(ethylene‐co‐vinylacetate) (EVA) and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/EVA blends were tested and compared with respect to their environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR) using the Bell‐telephone test. The time to failure in the ESCR test improves with increasing EVA content, and considerable improvements were produced for LDPE/EVA blends while small improvements were observed for HDPE/EVA blends. Thermal, rheological, mechanical, and morphological studies were conducted which established a quantitative relationship between morphological features and composition. Furthermore, the failed specimens were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy and fractographic methodology to investigate the failure mechanism for ESCR samples. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39880.     

Effect of electron beam irradiation and vinyl acetate content on the physicochemical properties of LDPE/EVA blends

The radiation‐induced crosslinking, compatibility, and surface modification of low density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate blends (LDPE/EVA) were investigated. The structural and physical properties were characterized in terms of gel content, hot set, mechanical properties, contact angle, and surface free energy. The highest crosslink density was obtained at 20 wt % of EVA. Gel content of LDPE/EVA blends was increased with increasing irradiation dose, vinyl acetate (VA), and EVA contents. The hot set results are consistent with the gel content data. Mechanical testing showed that the tensile strength of samples increased with increasing irradiation dose up to 180 kGy, whereas the elongation at break was decreased with increasing irradiation dose. Contact angle measurements showed that the surface hydrophillicity of LDPE blend was increased with increasing irradiation dose and contents of both VA and EVA. The surface free energy was greatly dependent on irradiation dose and content of both VA and EVA. The total surface free energies of different LDPE formulations were in the range 17.25–32.51 mN/m, in which the polar (^pσ) and disperse (^dσ_s) values were within the range 16.52–26.6 and 0.9–5.91 mN/m, respectively. In conclusion, electron beam irradiation and blending LDPE with EVA improved the wettability or adhesion properties of LDPE/EVA blends. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Investigations of environmental stress cracking resistance of LDPE/UHMWPE and LDPE/EVA blends

Abstract

Low density polyethylene (LDPE)/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and LDPE/poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate) (EVA) blends were tested and compared with respect to their environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR) using the Bell telephone test. The time to failure in the ESCR test improved with increasing UHMWPE and EVA content, and considerable improvements were produced when an UHMWPE weight fraction of 0.4 and EVA weight fraction of 0.03 were used. Thermal and morphological studies were conducted, and a relationship between morphological features and composition was established. Furthermore, the failed specimens were further characterised by scanning electron microscopy and fractographic methodology to investigate the failure mechanism for ESCR samples.     

辐射交联LDPE/EVA混合体系泡沫片材性能的研究

辐射交联LDPE/EVA混合体系泡沫片材表观光滑、柔软,手感好,表观密度较小,材料具有优异的力学性能,较高的拉伸强度、断裂伸长率和撕裂强度。进一步研究了产生宏观性能差异的原因是辐射交联LDPE/EVA混合体系泡沫片材制备成型工艺的特殊性,体系的交联度对制品性能影响很大。通过凝胶分析知道交联度与辐照剂量、LDPE树脂的物理性能和EVA树脂在混合体系的含量有关。此外,LDPE树脂的物理性能和EVA在混合体系的含量对材料宏观性能也有影响。     

Investigation of radiation-crosslinked foam of LDPE/EVA blends

Low-density polyethylene/ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (LDPE/EVA) blend was irradiated by γ-ray and then expanded by heat as a foamed material. The EVA content in the LDPE/EVA blend was benefited to form a gel. The gel fraction values of LDPE/EVA blend with 30% EVA content were higher than those of other blends in a same given dose; its gel fraction value was 1.7 times as those values of the LDPE without EVA. The gel fractions of the LDPE/EVA blend were increased with radiation dose in oxygen, in air, and in nitrogen, and the formation of gel was limited by oxygen. The oxidation products of the foam of the LDPE/EVA blend were observed in nitrogen, in oxygen by Fourier transform IR spectra. The LDPE/EVA blend system has no protection effect from oxidation in comparison with the LDPE system without EVA, which has less oxidation product than those without EVA in a same given gel fraction. The gel fraction of the LDPE/EVA blend around 25–35%, radiation dose 25±5 kGy, irradiated by γ-ray in air or in nitrogen, with higher expansion ratio (19), smaller cell diameter (0.175 mm), lower apparent density (0.042 g/cm³), higher tensile strength (0.40 MPa), and longer elongation at break (290–360%) foam of the LDPE/EVA blend were selected. These were optimum condition for application in this system. The relations among gel fraction of the LDPE/EVA blend, expansion ratio, apparent density, average cell diameter, and mechanical properties of the foam were discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Radiation effects on LDPE/EVA blends

Radiation effects of low‐density polyethylene/ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (LDPE/EVA) blends were discussed. EVA content in the LDPE/EVA blends was an enhancement effect on radiation crosslinking of LDPE/EVA blends, and the highest radiation crosslinking was obtained when the EVA content was reached at 30% when irradiated by γ‐ray in air. The phenomenon was discussed with the compatibility, morphology, and thermal properties of LDPE/EVA blends and found that the enhanced radiation crosslinking of the LDPE/EVA blends was proportional to the good compatibility, the increasing degree of the amorphous region's content of the LDPE/EVA blends, and the vinyl acetate content of EVA. We also found that the vinyl acetate of EVA in the blends is easily oxidized by γ‐ray irradiation in air. The possible radiation crosslinking and degradation mechanism of LDPE/EVA blends was discussed quantitatively with a novel method “step‐analysis” process of irradiated LDPE/EVA blends in the thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1296–1302, 2002     

HDPE/EVA/LDPE共混物拉伸性能和流变性能研究

用ＥＶＡ、ＬＤＰＥ、ＣａＣＯ３改性,填充ＨＤＰＥ,研究了它们的用量,品种对共混珠拉伸性能和流变性能的影响。结果表明,共混物熔体为假塑性流体。ＥＶＡ、ＬＤＰＥ用量增加,共混物拉伸强度下降,但断裂伸长率和熔体流动性提高。     

EVA对农膜再生料的力学性能及流变性能的影响

用熔融共混法制备了EVA与农膜再生料（RPE）的共混材料,研究了EVA对农膜再生料的改性作用,并与新料低密度聚乙烯（LDPE）进行了对比研究。对再生料、改性材料和新料进行了力学性能分析、旋转流变分析、转矩流变分析和形貌分析。结果表明,EVA可以显著提高农膜再生料的断裂伸长率,对拉伸强度影响不大,当EVA用量为50%时,改性材料的断裂伸长率和拉伸强度都和新料相当。EVA可以提高再生料的相容性,改善其流变性能和加工性能,使再生料的流变行为接近新料,更容易加工。     

Rheological and mechanical characteristics of low density polyethylene/ethylene‐vinyl acetate/organoclay nanocomposites

Attempts were made to trace the effect of organoclay (OC) on the rheological and mechanical behaviors of the low density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) blends. To do this effectively, in addition to LDPE/EVA/OC system, pure LDPE and LDPE/EVA blends were also examined as model systems. The rheological behavior was determined by the capillary rheometer. Morphological characterization was also carried out using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and theoretical approach based on interfacial energies. Shear viscosity, tensile strength and elastic modulus of LDPE/EVA were found to decrease by increasing the EVA content, while for LDPE/EVA/OC ternary nanocomposites, such properties showed an increase by increasing the content of EVA. Such behavior was explained by the morphological characteristic of the system in which OC was mainly intercalated/exfoliated in the EVA phase. This morphological characteristic was corroborated by the XRD, TEM and interfacial energies data. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Structural characterization of LDPE/EVA blends containing nanoclay‐flame retardant combinations

The combination of different types of organo‐modified montmorillonite (MMT) with aluminum hydroxide (aluminum trihydrate—ATH), as a flame retardant system for polyethylene‐ethylene vinyl acetate (LDPE/EVA), blends were studied. Five different types of organically modified montmorillonite clays, each with different modifier, were used. The structural characterization was carried out by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy in transmission mode (STEM). The mechanical and rheological properties were also evaluated. The XRD analysis showed a clear displacement of the d₀₀₁ signal, which indicates a good degree of intercalation, especially for the MMT‐I28 and MMT‐20, from Nanocor and Southern Clay Products, respectively. The presence of ATH and the compatibilizer did not have any effect on the exfoliation of the studied samples. The thermal stability and flame retardant properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI—ASTM D2863), and flammability tests (Underwriters Laboratory—UL‐94). The effect of different compatibilizers on the clay dispersion and exfoliation was studied. The results indicated that the addition of montmorillonite makes it possible to substitute part of the ATH filler content while maintaining the flame retardant requirements. The thermal stability of MMT/ATH‐filled LDPE/EVA blends presented a slight increase over the reference ATH‐filled LDPE/EVA blend. Compositions with higher clay content (10 wt %) showed better physicochemical properties. The increased stability of the higher clay content compositions results from the greater inorganic residual formation; this material has been reported to impart better performance in flammability tests. The mechanical properties and flame retardancy remained similar to those of the reference compound. The reduced ATH content resulted in lower viscosities and densities, facilitating the processing of the polymer/ATH/clay compounds. Extrusion of these compounds produced a lower pressure in the extrusion head and required reduced electrical power consumption. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

木质素填充LDPE、EVA对复合物性能的影响

以木质素为填充剂分别与低密度聚乙烯(LDPE)、乙烯-乙酸乙烯酯共聚物(EVA)共混,经双螺杆造粒机共混挤出造粒,再经吹塑成膜。研究了木质素/LDPE、木质素/EVA共混物薄膜的表面形貌、力学性能、热性能和红外光谱。热分析表明木质素与EVA共混物的热稳定性比木质素与LDPE的共混物热稳定性好;红外光谱分析表明木质素与EVA分子间产生了强烈的相互作用,扫描电镜分析表明木质素与EVA共混的相容性较好,力学性能分析表明低于30%的木质素与LDPE、EVA共混力学性能较好。     

Rheology, Morphology and Estimation of Interfacial Tension of LDPE/EVA and HDPE/EVA Blends

Summary Rheological characteristics and morphology of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) /ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/EVA blends were compared. Morphological examinations clearly reveal a two-phase morphology in which the LDPE/EVA blends have smaller dispersed domain size than HDPE/EVA Furthermore, LDPE/EVA shows a finely interconnected morphology at 50wt% of EVA while HDPE/EVA exhibits a coarse co-continuous morphology at the same composition. The morphological observations can be attributed to the lower viscosity ratio and lower interfacial tension in the LDPE/EVA system. The Palierne model also successfully fits to the experimental data giving higher values for interfacial tension of HDPE/EVA system as compared to LDPE/EVA.     

Morphology and tensile properties of crosslinked nanocomposite foams of low‐density polyethylene and poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) blends

This paper studies the morphology and tensile properties of nanocomposite foams of blends of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA). Preparations of LDPE/EVA nanocomposites were conducted in an internal mixer, and then samples were foamed via a batch foaming method. Morphology of the nanocomposite blends and nanocomposite foams was studied by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological observations showed that nanoparticle dispersion in the polymeric matrix was affected by the blend ratio in a way such that EVA‐rich samples had a better dispersion of nanoclay than LDPE‐rich ones. In addition, the tensile properties of the nanocomposite foams were related to different variables such as blend ratio, clay content, and foam density. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of ionizing irradiation on the thermal blend of waste low density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate/bitumen for some industrial applications

The effect of gamma irradiation on the properties of waste low density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate/bitumen blend was investigated. The variation in tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness and compression set (%) of the prepared blends confirmed the impact of gamma irradiation on the blend microstructure. The best mechanical properties were reported at an integral irradiation dose of 75 kGy at a weight composition ratio of bitumen:EVA:waste LDPE blend, 1:1:1. The influence of ionizing irradiation on the thermal stability and compatibility of the prepared blends, solubility and scanning electron micrographs were investigated. The results suggest that EVA content plays a detrimental role in the ultimate specifications via irradiation. The study offers an elastic product thanks to the controllable radiation crosslinking of EVA beside the introduction of the waste LDPE and bitumen as a possible means of recycling for a likely implementation in expansion joint systems of the concrete moulds.     

Effect of addition of EVA on the technical properties of extruded foam profiles of low-density polyethylene/EVA blends

Some technical properties (static mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, creep-recovery behavior, thermal expansion, and thermal conductivity) of low-density foams (50 kg/m³) made of blends of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) were studied as a function of the EVA proportion in the blends. These properties were compared with those of a foam made of a blend of EVA and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR). The knowledge of how the EVA proportion influences the behavior of these blend foam materials is a fundamental factor in order to obtain a wide range of polyolefin foams, with similar density, suitable for different applications. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68: 1237–1244, 1998     

纳米氢氧化铝填充LDPE/EVA的力学和阻燃性能

对纳米氢氧化铝（CG-ATH）在低密度聚乙烯/乙烯-醋酸乙烯酯共聚物体系中(low density polyethylene /ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer,简称LDPE/EVA),填充量对力学性质和阻燃性质的影响进行了研究.通过力学性能测试和SEM分析表明,随着CG-ATH填充量的增加,树脂体系的断裂伸长率急剧下降,而其拉伸强度则呈先下降后上升的趋势,当CG-ATH的填充量为60%时,其拉伸强度达12.5 MPa.通过燃烧性能测试、TG和DSC分析表明,CG-ATH的添加能够提高树脂体系的分解温度,增加结炭率,显著提高极限氧指数.通过综合分析,得到填充量为60%时,能够达到树脂体系力学性能与燃烧性能的最佳状态.     

Compatibilization of low‐density polyethylene/plasticized starch blends by reactive compounds and electron beam irradiation

Blends based on various compositions of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and plasticized starch (PLST) were prepared by melt extrusion and molding in the form of sheets under hot press. The rheology properties during mixing were studied in terms of torque and temperature against mixing time. The structural properties of LDPE/PLST blends before and after electron beam irradiation was characterized by IR spectroscopy, tensile mechanical testing, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The torque‐time curves during the mixing process showed that the values of torque in the first region of mixing for pure LDPE or LDPE/PLST blends are higher in the presence of the compatibilizer PEMA than that in the presence of EVA. In addition, the stability of mixing was attained after a short time in the presence of PEMA. The IR spectroscopy suggests that the compatibilization by EVA and PEMA compounds proceeds through the formation of hydrogen bonding during mixing and this compatibility was improved after electron beam irradiation. The stress–strain curves of pure LDPE and its blends with PLST showed the behavior of tough polymers with yielding properties. The SEM micrographs of the fracture surfaces give supports to the effect of EVA and PEMA as compatibilizers and the effect of electron beam irradiation. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

PA6／HDPE／EVA三元共混改性的研究

研究了PA6/HDPE、PA6/HDPE/EVA共混物的密度、热性能和力学性能。PA6/HDPE/EVA三元共混物的力学性能比PA6/HDPE二元共混物有明显提高。对于拉伸强度,EVA的最佳含量在2～4份。冲击强度随EVA含量的增加而提高,EVA的含量小于5份时,对共混物的硬度几乎没有影响。