MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CLAY/LLDPE AND ORGANOCLAY/LLDPE NANOCOMPOSITES

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is widely used in many areas in daily life because it is both light and flexible. In this study, clay/LLDPE and organoclay/LLDPE nanocomposites were obtained by melt intercalation method, incorporating small amounts (1- 5 wt.%) of nanosized clay and organoclay modified with a positively charged salt to enhance the mechanical properties of the polymer. Characterization and mechanical tests showed that the mechanical strength of the composites increased with additive content, though some flexibility was partially lost. FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed that clay and organoclay interacted with polymer chains and dispersed homogeneously. ANOVA results demonstrated that both filler type and concentration significantly influence the mechanical properties, with organophilic organoclay showing superior interaction to the LLDPE matrix compared to hydrophilic clay. Specifically, the addition of 5 wt.% organoclay resulted in increases of 56,67%, 58,73%, and 39,53% in elastic modulus, yield strength, and tensile strength, respectively. Additionally, the observed 5% rise in melting temperature suggests potential for expanding the application range of these nanocomposites to areas requiring thermal stability.