Influence of Temperature on the Transport Behaviour of Aromatic Solvents through Calcite-Filled Low Density Polyethylene Composites

Abstract

In this paper, the methodology and results obtained by use of gravimetric method to study the sorption of benzene and toluene in calcite-filled low density polyethylene composite samples at two temperature regimes, 40oC and 65oC were presented. The composite was prepared by compounding low density polyethylene and calcite. The resulting mix was processed using a single screw extruder. Tests were carried out and sorption results of virgin LDPE, 2wt% calcite/LDPE, 4wt% calcite/LDPE, 6wt% calcite/LDPE, and 8wt% calcite/LDPE with benzene and toluene as the probe molecules at 40oC and 65oC are shown. It is clear that solvent uptake increases with increase in sorption temperature. This could be explained by the enhanced macromolecular flexibility of the matrix and increase in kinetic energy of penetrant molecules at elevated temperature.

Keywords: Calcite, Low density polyethylene, composite, sorption, mole percentage uptake