Development of polyethylene's properties by utilizing glass fiber and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS2)

• Main Author: Agus, Marlene
• Other Authors: Tan Lay Poh
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/38870
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Polymers have become an essential material in our life because of its function in various areas. Among these varieties of polymers, polyethylene is one of the widely used materials because it is a recyclable polymer and low cost. The aim of this project is to investigate the effect of adding elastomers and glass fibers on the polymer’s properties. Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene block copolymers (SEBS2)and glass fiber were used to toughen and stiffen the matrix, respectively. Increasing toughness and elongation at breaking point were found as more elastomers were added into the polymer matrix. The yield strength and stiffness, however, decreases as elastomers concentration increases. In addition, incorporating glass fiber into polymer matrix increases the stiffness and modulus of the matrix, yet the elongation at break is reduced. However, by optimizing moderate amount of elastomers and glass fibers ratio in the polymer matrix, a desirable balance between toughness and stiffness of the material was achieved.