Published in

Wiley, Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 2(55), p. 146-156, 2016

DOI: 10.1002/polb.24262

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Additive-like amounts of HDPE prevent creep of molten LDPE: Phase-behavior and thermo-mechanical properties of a melt-miscible blend

This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.
This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.

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Abstract

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is the preferred type of polyolefin for many medical and electrical applications because of its superior purity and cleanliness. However, the inferior thermo-mechanical properties as compared to, for example, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which arise because of the lower melting temperature of LDPE, constitute a significant drawback. Here, we demonstrate that the addition of minute amounts of HDPE to a LDPE resin considerably improves the mechanical integrity above the melting temperature of LDPE. A combination of dynamic mechanical analysis and creep experiments reveals that the addition of as little as 1 to 2 wt% HDPE leads to complete form stability above the melting temperature of LDPE. The investigated LDPE/HDPE blend is found to be miscible in the melt, which facilitates the formation of a solid-state microstructure that features a fine distribution of HDPE-rich lamellae. The absence of creep above the melting temperature of LDPE is rationalized with the presence of tie chains and trapped entanglements that connect the few remaining crystallites.