The effects of glutamine palmitic acid content on properties of high density polyethylene/silica composites

In this study, Glut Palmitate (GP) as the compatibilizer in silica filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was synthesized from Glutamine and Palmitic acid. GP with varied content (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 phr) were then added in the composites to evaluate its effect on the mechanical properties, water absorption, chemical bonding, and surface morphology. The findings of this study showed that GP achieved its function as a compatibilizer by enhancing the adhesion between HDPE and silica through the formation of hydrogen bonding as investigated by Fourier transform infra‐red as well as good interaction on interface morphology observed in scanning electron microscopy micrograph. The mechanical properties showed that the tensile strength, elongation at break, flexural strength, and impact properties of composites had optimum value at 1 phr and the modulus of the composite increased with the addition of GP. Meanwhile, the addition of 2 phr of GP in composites reduced water absorption by 33% in the composite compared to the control composites. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:217–223, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers