Study on viscoelastic, crystallization, and mechanical properties of HDPE/EVA/Mg(OH) ₂ composites

In this article, elastomer‐toughened high density polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide (HDPE/MH) composites with various contents of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) are prepared in a twin‐screw extruder and then injection‐molded. The effect of EVA on the viscoelastic, crystallization, morphology, and tensile properties of the HDPE/EVA/MH composites is studied. The rheological behaviors show that the complex viscosity, storage, and loss modulus at low frequencies are largely unaffected with various EVA contents; however, the corresponding values decrease with increasing EVA content at high frequencies. The scanning electronic microscopy studies on the HDPE/EVA/MH composites show that the MH particles mainly disperse in the EVA phase, and the interfacial adhesion has been also enhanced due to the addition of EVA. The crystallization of HDPE diminishes because of the surface energy difference resulting in encapsulation structure. The tensile properties of the HDPE/EVA/MH composites are strong influenced by the incorporation of EVA. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1221–1226, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers