Study of mechanical and rheogical properties of HDPE/iPP cross-linking polymer blends

The rapidly developing subject of polymer mix design presents prospects for the creation of materials with precisely customised qualities. It's crucial to comprehend the morphology that results from blending immiscible polymers for obtaining the required mechanical qualities. This study explores the complex interactions between structure and characteristics in both cross-linked and unmodified blends of HDPE and iPP. Our study provides important new information by combining mechanical testing and rheological evaluations. It is observed that materials that are cross-linked have a significantly higher viscosity, which suggests the establishment of a three-dimensional network and improved stability. Furthermore, HDPE exhibits enhanced behaviour after crosslinking. After crosslinking, the melt flow index decreases, indicating increased resistance to flow and deformation because more interchain links are formed. Higher PP concentration in unmodified blends results in greater flexibility and ductility, but cross-linking causes rigidity. On the other hand, cross-linking improves flexibility by reducing rigidity in mixes with a lower iPP concentration. Additionally, the combination of iPP and crosslinking agents results in a significant improvement in mechanical strength, which reinforces structural integrity. Crosslinking also improves impact resistance, making the materials appropriate for uses requiring strong performance in demanding circumstances.