Evaluation of the interaction effect on viscoelastic and moisture behaviour of high-density polyethylene reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotube and tungsten disulphide hybrid composites

This study examines the influence of varying weight percentages (wt.%) of the solid lubricant, tungsten disulphide (WS 2 ), on the viscoelastic properties and interaction effects of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composite that is reinforced with both multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and WS 2 . The fabrication of HDPE composites involved the utilisation of a twin screw extruder method to incorporate lubricants and reinforcement. The lubricant was introduced in three different proportions of 2, 4 and 8 wt.% while the MWCNT was reinforced at a constant 1 wt.% for all composite materials. The specimens were fabricated utilising an injection moulding machine. The composite's interaction effects were investigated using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The viscoelastic behaviours of the composite were studied using dynamic mechanical analyser (DMA). Composite moister characteristics were analysed using water contact angle measurement and water absorption test. The DMA results indicated that the HC1W2 (HDPE + MWCNT 1 wt.% + WS 2 2 wt.%) hybrid composite exhibited enhanced interaction effects and desirable viscoelastic behaviour, as evidenced by loss modulus (G″) and storage modulus (G′) values. HC1W8 (HDPE + MWCNT 1wt.% + WS 2 8 wt.%) sample shows less moister absorption, because adding filler improves the sample's hydrophobicity. The composite exhibits significant particle agglomeration when the lubricant content exceeds 2 wt.%. It affects the uniform dispersion of WS 2 particles in the matrix, which leads to reduced composite performance.