Mehdi Haji Abdolrsaouli - Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Hormozagn, Bandar-Abbas, Iran
Amir Babaei - Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran

The effects of three different mixers, two different feeding orders and nanoclay content on the structure development and rheological properties of PE/nanoclay nanocomposite samples were investigated. Fractional Zener and Carreau–Yasuda models were applied to discuss the melt linear viscoelastic properties of the samples. Moreover, scaling law for fractal networks was used to quantify the clay dispersion, which depends on the PE matrix structure. A better dispersion and a higher melt intercalation of nanoclay particles were obtained by simultaneous feeding compared to compatibilizer/nanoclay masterbatch feeding. A twin-screw extruder (Brabender DSE 25 model) showed a greater potential for melt intercalation of PE/nanoclay as compared to internal mixers (Brabender W50 and Haake Rheomix 3000 batch mixers). Comparing the thermal analysis of PE, PE/PE-g-MA and PE/nanoclay samples by DSC technique showed an opposite effect for the compatibilizer versus the nanoclay on the crystallization behavior of PE. PE/nanoclay cast film samples were produced at three different draw ratios. The X-ray diffraction structural analysis in conjunction with the melt linear viscoelastic measurements confirmed that the PE/nanoclay cast film produced at higher draw ratio had a more effective melt intercalation. The tensile test showed that the machine direction modulus and yield strength of both PE and PE/nanoclay cast film samples reduced with increase of the draw ratio. Polyolefins J (2018) 5:47-58

Polyethylene; nanocomposite; film; rheology; tensile test