Effect of Kaolin on the Mechanical Property of Polypropylene/Low Density Polyethylene Blend

This study is related to a PP/LDPE blend characterized, in that it comprises a base resin (PP/LDPE blend with constant ratio 50/50) and a kaolin filler, which is present in the composition in an amount of 1 to 14 wt% in respect to the weight of composition. The parameters such as tensile strength measured according to ASTM D 638, impact strength measured according to ASTM D256, and hardness measured according to ASTM 2240 standard. In from the results it can be observed that the minimun tensile strength value was oscillate 0,01 MPa, which was obtained PP/LDPE blend composition +0% kaolin and PP/LDPE blend composition +14% kaolin while the maximum was 0,88 Mpa, which was obtained at PP/LDPE composition +5% kaolin and PP/LDPE blend composition +10% kaolin. The impact strength was decreased from 1.69 kJ/m
²
to 1.3 kJ/m
²
, while hardness was increased from 52.8 HD to 58 HD. From the results have shown that the addition of filler kaolin powder to the polymer leads tensile strength was not much affected, impact strength was decreased and Shore D hardness was increased.