Effect of mineral fillers incorporation on optical properties of polyethylene films

Authors

  • Héctor Alejandro Anzorena Instituto de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas a la Industria (ICAI-CONICET). Bernardo de Irigoyen 375, 5600, San Rafael -Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Aplicadas a la Industria. Bernardo de Irigoyen 375, 5600, San Rafael -Argentina.
  • Cecilia Inés Paulo Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro, CIFICEN (UNCPBA-CONICET), Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Av. del Valle 5737, (7400) Olavarría, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Andrés Eduardo Ciolino Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química, PLAPIQUI (UNS-CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina. Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Av. Alem 1253, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina.
  • María Gabriela Passaretti Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Av. Alem 1253, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina.
  • Marcelo Armando Villar Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química, PLAPIQUI (UNS-CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina. Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Av. Alem 1253, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina.
  • Olivia Valeria López Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química, PLAPIQUI (UNS-CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina. Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Av. Alem 1253, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina.
  • Mario Daniel Ninago Instituto de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas a la Industria (ICAI-CONICET). Bernardo de Irigoyen 375, 5600, San Rafael -Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Aplicadas a la Industria. Bernardo de Irigoyen 375, 5600, San Rafael -Argentina.

Abstract

In this work, high-density polyethylene films reinforced with mineral particles were obtained by using melt-mixing and thermo-compression. Illitic clay (IC) and metakaolin (MK) were used as mineral fillers. (IC) is a silicate of the mica family, whereas MK is an activated aluminosilicate obtained by the calcination of kaolin. A structural characterization of AI and MK particles were performed by Laser Diffraction (LD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). LD test showed a unimodal particle distribution for MK and bimodal particle distribution for AI. Both fillers were incorporated to a high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix at two concentrations (1 and 5 % w/w). Obtained composites resulted homogeneous, translucent, and easy to handle. The presence if IC and MK particles acted as physical barrier against both UV and visible radiation, by increasing UV barrier capacity and opacity without compromising their transparency.

Published

31-07-2023