The effect of the addition of a coloring component on the physico-mechanical properties of a thermoplastic polymer

Purpose. Investigation of the physico-mechanical properties of a polymer obtained by adding a carbon black concentrate based on low-density linear polyethylene. Methods. The process of coloring the thermoplastic polymer was carried out by adding a carbon black concentrate based on linear low-density polyethylene on equipment including a paddle mixer, dryer, and extruder. The obtained colored samples were analyzed using modern research methods for thermoplastic materials, which made it possible to obtain reliable information on the assessment of their certain physical and mechanical properties. To obtain samples, polymer crumbs coming out of the strand extruder were crushed on an HSS230-A mechanical crusher. The melt mass flow rate was determined by extruding the molten material from an IIRT type device (extrusion plastometer). The tensile and strength parameters were determined on a SEM-type machine for testing structural materials. The hardness index of the test sample was determined by the Shore method using a durometer. Results. Based on the results of the work, the most optimal concentration of the added composition was identified to impart a stable black color to the thermoplastic polymer. The dependence of changes in the physico-mechanical parameters of a thermoplastic polymer depending on the amount of soot concentrate additive based on linear low-density polyethylene has been established. Conclusion. The conducted studies revealed the patterns of the process of coloring a thermoplastic polymer with a souper concentrate based on linear low-density polyethylene and carbon black at different quantitative ratios. As a result of the study, it was found that with a quantitative increase in the concentrate in the thermoplastic polymer, the physical properties of the colored material change. A change in the amount of the additive in the range from 0.2 to 5 ppm leads to a change in the values of the physico-mechanical parameters of the studied samples compared with the initial polymer.