Manufacturing and Characterization of Low‐Density Polyethylene Matrix Composites With Calcium Carbonate and Zinc Oxide: Enhanced Interaction of Micron and Nano‐Sized Hybrid Fillers

ABSTRACT In the present work, low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix composites were successfully prepared with micron‐sized calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) and/or nano‐sized zinc oxide (ZnO) fillers in the presence of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) without any surface modifications. A relatively simple procedure was used for composite production, unlike traditional techniques. The 5, 10, and 20 wt% CaCO 3 and 0.5 or 1 wt% ZnO were used separately as well as in combination. Mechanical and thermal behaviors were evaluated through tensile, flexural, and hardness tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The combination of 20 wt% CaCO 3 and 0.5 wt% ZnO achieved a 75% increase in modulus and a 30% increase in tensile strength. The composition of 20 wt% CaCO 3 and 1 wt% ZnO exhibited a 24% increase in flexural stiffness and a 40% increase in flexural strength. This composition also provided the highest storage and loss modulus. Overall, adding either single or hybrid fillers enhanced the mechanical and thermal properties compared to the neat matrix. This improvement can be attributed to strong matrix–filler interactions, as confirmed by electron microscopy images.