The role of the matrix-filler affinity on the morphology and properties of polyethylene/clay and polyethylene/compatibilizer/clay nanocomposites drawn fibres

In this work the structural variations and mechanical performance of polyethylene/clay nanocomposite drawn fibres, also in the presence ofcompatibilizer, such as a commercial maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene, PEgMA, was studied. In the isotropic state both systems show intercalated morphology.After spinning and cold drawing, by adding the nanoparticles, the tensile strength as a function of the draw ratio increases and this rise is more pronounced for the filled compatibilized system. The reduction of the elongation at break, on the contrary, is about the same for all the examined samples. The orientation of the macromolecules, evaluated by measurements of the birefringence and calorimetric analysis, is similar for all the samples, but the filled, drawn fibres show a higher level of intercalation and, in particular, some exfoliation, more and more pronounced with the draw ratio and in presence of compatibilizer, as a consequence of the application of the extensional (at low and high temperature) flow. For the three components system with greater affinity between the polymer matrix and clay, the extensional flow is more efficient. The initial intercalated morphology changes to some more intercalation and finally, at the highest anisotropic condition in the presence of the PEgMA, evolves to delaminated clay structure