The Effects of Calcium Carbonate Filler on HDPE Pipe
Samira Kherici, Djillali Benouali, Chekhar Nouredine
Abstract
The objective of this work is the preparation and the characterization of high density polyethylene /calcium carbonate (HDPE/CaCO 3 ) composites. Polyethylene composites, containing 10-35 wt.% of CaCO 3 and HDPE with MFI (Melt Flow index) (0.550 g/10 mn) were prepared with co-extrusion process using extruder type Cincinati 90D. Thermal and mechanical studies were made in order to determine the parameters for obtaining a material (corrugated pipe) with optimal properties. The composite viscosity increased with filler content, suggesting the formation of filler agglomerates. Thermal analysis shows that addition of 30% CaCO 3 increased the thermal stability of HDPE around 32C, decreasing the processing temperature of composites in 15C. Regarding to the mechanical tests, the ring stiffness of the composites decreased with the addition of CaCO 3 above 35 wt.%. According to the obtained results, we suggest that HDPE/CaCO 3 composites could be used in the pipe production where tensile strengths higher than 25 MPa are not required and for service temperatures between 30C and 70C.