Influence of Na-bentonite and Ca-bentonite as Fillers in Low-density Polyethylene: Mechanical, Morphological and Thermal Properties
摘要
An investigative and comparative analysis of two types of bentonite (Na-bentonite and Ca-bentonite) combined with low-density polyethylene was conducted. Three bentonite concentrations (2.5, 1.25, and 0.62 wt%) were evaluated and compared with pure LDPE. The specimens were subjected to mechanical, morphological, and thermal analyses. The addition of fillers did not change the thermal properties of the polymer matrix, such as transition temperatures, but increased crystallinity. The samples showed greater stiffness with increasing filler content and, through morphological analysis, good dispersion of fillers in the polymer matrix was observed.