Processibility Analysis of Rotationally
Moldable Linear Low-Density
Polyethylene/Glass Fiber Blend
Nikita Gupta and PL. Ramkumar
Abstract Rotational molding is the easiest way to manufacture hollow plastic products. In this method, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is mainly used as a
base resin, but pure LLDPE is unable to offer the required mechanical property
in some critical applications where strength is on a considerable level. Additives
proved valuable in filling out this void. In this paper, an attempt is made to evaluate
the optimum range of LLDPE/glass fiber from the distinguished blends of glass fiber
blended with LLDPE (15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) resulting in better processing for
rotational molding. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy test is considered
the main investigation for evaluating the optimum percentage of the blend in order to
ensure the presence of both the resins in the blend. It was found from the experiment
that the concentration of glass fiber above 20% confirms negligible significance of
LLDPE and 15% or below marks unsuitability as glass fiber peaks hardly prevails.
Thus, it can be inferred from the experiment that approximately 20% of glass fiber
combined with LLDPE can be considered as a suitable blend range, making it appropriate for rotomolding processability, ensuring that properties of both LLDPE and
glass fiber are incorporated into the rotomolded product.
Keywords Rotational molding · FTIR · Additives · LLDPE · Glass fiber
1 Introduction
Plastics are considered over wide range of materials nowadays. The reason is obvious
as it provides some salient features like light in weight, better corrosion resistivity,
easily processable, etc. [1–4]. Although distinct plastic-processing techniques are
available till date to the users such as thermoforming, rotational molding, injection molding, blow molding, etc., engineers need to be aware of the constraints and
N. Gupta (B) · PL. Ramkumar
Department of Mechanical and Aero-Space Engineering, Institute of Infrastructure Technology
Research and Management, Ahmedabad, India
e-mail: nikitagupta10192@gmail.com
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
A. K. Parwani et al. (eds.), Recent Advances in Mechanical Infrastructure,
Lecture Notes in Intelligent Transportation and Infrastructure,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4176-0_3
37
Moldable Linear Low-Density
Polyethylene/Glass Fiber Blend
Nikita Gupta and PL. Ramkumar
Abstract Rotational molding is the easiest way to manufacture hollow plastic products. In this method, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is mainly used as a
base resin, but pure LLDPE is unable to offer the required mechanical property
in some critical applications where strength is on a considerable level. Additives
proved valuable in filling out this void. In this paper, an attempt is made to evaluate
the optimum range of LLDPE/glass fiber from the distinguished blends of glass fiber
blended with LLDPE (15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) resulting in better processing for
rotational molding. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy test is considered
the main investigation for evaluating the optimum percentage of the blend in order to
ensure the presence of both the resins in the blend. It was found from the experiment
that the concentration of glass fiber above 20% confirms negligible significance of
LLDPE and 15% or below marks unsuitability as glass fiber peaks hardly prevails.
Thus, it can be inferred from the experiment that approximately 20% of glass fiber
combined with LLDPE can be considered as a suitable blend range, making it appropriate for rotomolding processability, ensuring that properties of both LLDPE and
glass fiber are incorporated into the rotomolded product.
Keywords Rotational molding · FTIR · Additives · LLDPE · Glass fiber
1 Introduction
Plastics are considered over wide range of materials nowadays. The reason is obvious
as it provides some salient features like light in weight, better corrosion resistivity,
easily processable, etc. [1–4]. Although distinct plastic-processing techniques are
available till date to the users such as thermoforming, rotational molding, injection molding, blow molding, etc., engineers need to be aware of the constraints and
N. Gupta (B) · PL. Ramkumar
Department of Mechanical and Aero-Space Engineering, Institute of Infrastructure Technology
Research and Management, Ahmedabad, India
e-mail: nikitagupta10192@gmail.com
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
A. K. Parwani et al. (eds.), Recent Advances in Mechanical Infrastructure,
Lecture Notes in Intelligent Transportation and Infrastructure,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4176-0_3
37