Effects of weathering on mechanical and morphological properties cork filled green polyethylene eco-composites

• Autor(a) principal: Vasconcelos,Gabriela Celso Melo Soares de
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: Carvalho,Laura Hecker de, Barbosa,Renata, Idalino,Rita de Cássia de Lima, Alves,Tatianny Soares
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Polímeros (São Carlos. Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-14282020000100411
• topic: composites; compatibilizer; extrusion; colorimetry; natural aging

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the effects of natural weathering in the city of Teresina, State of Piauí, Brazil, on the morphology and mechanical properties of eco-composites based on high-density green polyethylene, powdered cork and compatibilizer processed in a twin-screw extruder and injection molded. The analyses revealed that although weathering induced surface bleaching of eco-composites and cracking, these effects were not intense in the compatibilized samples. The tensile properties of the investigated materials were affected by abiotic degradation, which led to a reduction of the tensile strength and elastic deformation of the eco-composites, however, the incorporation of PEgMA was fundamental for the maintenance of mechanical performance after natural aging. In general, the results obtained were satisfactory for external applications of the compatibilized eco-composite with 15% cork in the proposed weathering range, which indicates its possible use in temporary constructions.