Processibility Analysis of Rotationally Moldable Linear …
39
In addition to examining the mechanical properties of the end product in order to
analyze the compatibility of the additive with the base resin, the assessment of material processability becomes important. The processability study helps to achieve an
optimal blend range from the specific prepared mixture of fiber combined with base
resin to verify the potential of material sustaining rotomoldability. Research regarding
the processability of LLDPE/glass fiber blend for rotational molding process is
seldom available until date to the author’s knowledge. For this reason, FTIR has
been considered as the initial preliminary analysis to be followed by distinguished
processability investigation methods such as melt flow index test, shear stress-based
fluidity analysis, thermal behavior of material, weatherability, and so on.
The paper outline begins with the experimental details which include the procurement of material. The experiments were conducted after material availability that
included FTIR technique in order to justify the significance of the peaks of both
LLDPE and glass fiber. Through the test, the optimal percentage of glass fiber that
needs to be combined with LLDPE has been suggested that will produce preferable
processibility assuring the presence of both the resin and additive.
2 Experimental Procedure
2.1 Materials
The materials used for the present investigation are linear low-density polyethylene
(LLDPE) and glass fiber. Greenage Industries Ltd., Ahmedabad, India, provided with
pure LLDPE of rotomolded grade Ge3645 having MFI 4.5 g/10 min and 0.936 g/cm
3
density. For glass fiber, a 2.55 g/cm
3 density E-glass fiber was purchased from HS
Enterprise, Ahmedabad, India, which was used as an additive.
The sample being prepared in the laboratory by mixing 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%
of glass fiber with LLDPE are as shown in Fig. 1. The sample is dry blended using
Electromix industrial mixer with the percentage by weight fraction of glass fiber with
LLDPE.
In order to characterize the blend of LLDPE and glass fiber, Fourier transform
infrared technique has been considered for experimentation.
2.2 Equipment Used
Fourier transform infrared technique (FTIR)
Basically, a Perkin Elmer FTIR Spectrum Two Universal ATR has been utilized to
obtain the peaks by transmitting the infrared light on the atomic level of the material.
Transmission data were collected within the range of 450–4000 cm
−1 . The interval
of data was maintained as 1 cm
−1 . A prior resolution set beforehand was 4 cm
−1
39
In addition to examining the mechanical properties of the end product in order to
analyze the compatibility of the additive with the base resin, the assessment of material processability becomes important. The processability study helps to achieve an
optimal blend range from the specific prepared mixture of fiber combined with base
resin to verify the potential of material sustaining rotomoldability. Research regarding
the processability of LLDPE/glass fiber blend for rotational molding process is
seldom available until date to the author’s knowledge. For this reason, FTIR has
been considered as the initial preliminary analysis to be followed by distinguished
processability investigation methods such as melt flow index test, shear stress-based
fluidity analysis, thermal behavior of material, weatherability, and so on.
The paper outline begins with the experimental details which include the procurement of material. The experiments were conducted after material availability that
included FTIR technique in order to justify the significance of the peaks of both
LLDPE and glass fiber. Through the test, the optimal percentage of glass fiber that
needs to be combined with LLDPE has been suggested that will produce preferable
processibility assuring the presence of both the resin and additive.
2 Experimental Procedure
2.1 Materials
The materials used for the present investigation are linear low-density polyethylene
(LLDPE) and glass fiber. Greenage Industries Ltd., Ahmedabad, India, provided with
pure LLDPE of rotomolded grade Ge3645 having MFI 4.5 g/10 min and 0.936 g/cm
3
density. For glass fiber, a 2.55 g/cm
3 density E-glass fiber was purchased from HS
Enterprise, Ahmedabad, India, which was used as an additive.
The sample being prepared in the laboratory by mixing 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%
of glass fiber with LLDPE are as shown in Fig. 1. The sample is dry blended using
Electromix industrial mixer with the percentage by weight fraction of glass fiber with
LLDPE.
In order to characterize the blend of LLDPE and glass fiber, Fourier transform
infrared technique has been considered for experimentation.
2.2 Equipment Used
Fourier transform infrared technique (FTIR)
Basically, a Perkin Elmer FTIR Spectrum Two Universal ATR has been utilized to
obtain the peaks by transmitting the infrared light on the atomic level of the material.
Transmission data were collected within the range of 450–4000 cm
−1 . The interval
of data was maintained as 1 cm
−1 . A prior resolution set beforehand was 4 cm
−1