Low Density Polyethylene-Activated Carbon Composite Foams: Preparation and Properties

Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2018     |     PP. 37-57      |     PDF (4454 K)    |     Pub. Date: April 23, 2018
DOI:    341 Downloads     7845 Views  

Author(s)

Darunee Aussawasathien, Plastics Technology Lab, Polymer Research Unit, National Metal and Materials Technology Center, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Kotchaporn Jariyakun, Department of Industrial Chemistry, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, 1518 Pracharat 1 Road, Wongsawang, Bangsue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand
Thongchai Pomrawan, Department of Industrial Chemistry, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, 1518 Pracharat 1 Road, Wongsawang, Bangsue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand
Kittipong Hrimchum, Plastics Technology Lab, Polymer Research Unit, National Metal and Materials Technology Center, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Rungsima Yeetsorn, Department of Industrial Chemistry, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, 1518 Pracharat 1 Road, Wongsawang, Bangsue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand
Walaiporn Prissanaroon-Ouajai, Department of Industrial Chemistry, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, 1518 Pracharat 1 Road, Wongsawang, Bangsue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand

Abstract
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) containing activated carbon (AC) was foamed with azodicarbonamide (ADC) through an extrusion process. The effects of ADC and AC contents on the cellular structure, void fraction, density, thermal and mechanical properties, and crystallinity of composite foams were investigated. The density of composite foams decreased but the void fraction increased when the ADC content increased. At low AC dosages, the density decreased with increasing void fraction compared to composite foams without AC. Cell formation and average cell density decreased with increasing AC concentration. The maximum reduction of density by 30% with void fraction of 30% was achieved when ADC and AC were applied at 7 wt% and 10 wt% respectively. Increasing ADC and AC contents resulted in composite foams with lower tensile and impact strengths. The crystalline temperature (Tc) and melting temperature (Tm) changes were insignificant as the ADC and AC loadings increased. The decomposition temperature (Td) tended lower as the ADC loading increased, whereas an increase in AC content resulted in increasing Td of the composite foams. The crystallinity percentage of the composite foams reduced slightly with increasing ADC content, but sharply decreased with the enhancement of AC loading.

Keywords
Low density polyethylene; Activated carbon; Azodicarbonamide; Composite foam

Cite this paper
Darunee Aussawasathien, Kotchaporn Jariyakun, Thongchai Pomrawan, Kittipong Hrimchum, Rungsima Yeetsorn, Walaiporn Prissanaroon-Ouajai, Low Density Polyethylene-Activated Carbon Composite Foams: Preparation and Properties , SCIREA Journal of Materials. Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2018 | PP. 37-57.

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