Abstract
The rheological properties of MWCNTs/HDPE composites prepared by melt mixing process were studied. Rheological results indicate that the storage modulus and complex viscosity of the material increase dramatically when incorporated with MWNTs. Strong shear thinning behavioris observed at high filler concentration. A specific viscoelastic behavior,i.e. the so–called “second plateau”, appeared at low frequency region in cases of φ>3%. This phenomenon could be regarded as a rheological threshold, and could be attributed to the formation of some kind network structure due to MWCNTs aggregation and the interaction between MWCNTs and polymer matrix. Tan adopts a minus slope and is approximately linearly dependent on frequency for the polymer while a relaxation peak is observed in the composites. Increasing leads to a gradual reduction in the tan values in the low- zone accompanied by a shift of the peak to high frequencies. The results indicate the formation of MWCNT network in the composite with the addiction of MWCNTs. Moreover, the increase of temperature accelerates this the formation of MWCNT network.
Key words: MWCNTs HDPE Dynamic Rheological behavior
