An investigation on the Young’s modulus and impact strength of nanocomposites based on polypropylene/linear low-density polyethylene/titan dioxide (PP/LLDPE/TiO2) using response surface methodology

In this study, an attempt was made to optimize Young’s modulus and impact strength of nanocomposites based on polypropylene/linear low-density polyethylene/nanotitanium dioxide (PP/LLDPE/TiO₂) using the experimental design. Experiments were designed according to Box–Behnken response surface methodology to screen out significant factors from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS as a compatibilizer), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles. The thermal behavior of the nanocomposites was also studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). From the statistical analysis, the most important parameter affecting Young’s modulus and impact strength was obtained as LLDPE of PP/LLDPE/TiO₂ nanocomposites, which was followed by TiO₂ and SEBS. Finally, based on the desirability function, the optimized factors for maximum Young’s modulus and impact properties were found as LLDPE, 60 wt%; TiO₂, 2.6 wt%; and SEBS, 2.3 wt%.

Keywords

Nanocomposite, Young’s modulus, Impact strength, Response surface methodology, Desirability function.

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