Functionalization of high density polyethylene in melt state through ultrasonic initiation and its effect on mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced composites

Functionalization reaction of high density polyethylene (HDPE) with γ-methacryloxy-propyltrimethoxysilane (MAS) or with MAS and MAH performed in melt state through ultrasonic initiation by a laboratory-scale ultrasonic extruding reactor was studied in this paper. The effect of ultrasonic intensity on the percentage of grafting and melt flow rate of the functionalized products was investigated. The results show that by imposing ultrasonic vibration during melt-extruding process, the scission of HDPE chain bonds can be caused to form macroradicals, the functionalization reaction of HDPE with MAS or with MAS and MAH can be realized. The percentage of grafting and the melt flow rate of the functionalized products depend upon the ultrasonic intensity and reaction temperature. The fuctionalization reaction of HDPE with MAS can be promoted by adding a second grafting monomer MAH. The ultrasonic-induced products have a higher reactivity with the coupling agents coated on the surface of glass fibers, the mechanical properties of the composite improved by the ultrasonic induced product are higher than that of by peroxide initiated product and the mechanical properties of HDPE/GF composite modified by HDPE-g-MAH-MAS are higher than that of by HDPE-g-MAH. The SEM experimental results indicate that an oriented crystal layer exists between the interface of glass fiber and the HDPE matrix, the interfacial bonding strength is the determining factor of the formation of the oriented crystal layer.