Avaliação de compósito de PEAD com resíduo de concha de molusco calcinado e modificado com silano

Abstract

Polymers are increasingly being used by man as more practical, lightweight, low cost materials. Studies are being carried out with the purpose of improving the properties of these polymers, generating benefits in all areas. The best way to modify the properties of the polymers is through composite materials. An example of this is the addition of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from mollusk shells as reinforcements. This mixture alone does not allow a good union of these elements, necessitating the use of coupling agents to ensure adhesion and improve properties. This work aims to evaluate high density polyethylene (HDPE) polymer matrix composites with 20% calcined shell reinforcement (CC) and with (CC) modified with APTS (3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane). HDPE and HDPE composites (HDPE/CC) and treated with Silane (HDPE/CC/Si) and treated at 100 °C (HDPE/CC/Si/T) were mixed using the Rheometer of Haake torque and molded in a hydraulic press. In the molding of the HDPE / DC composite, it was necessary to make a modification in the process conditions due to the difficulties of molding them, since they had regions with porosity and voids well accented, seen with the naked eye. This can be verified with the flowability that was the lowest, around 4,116g/10min, while the PEAD/CC/Si composite was 6.272 g/10min, which had a good impression. By the Thermogravimetric analysis it was possible to increase the initial degradation temperature of the pure HDPE with the addition of the shell, from 352 to 380 °C. In the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) it was possible to visualize a good interface caused by the addition of Silane in the modification of the CC (HDPE/CC/Si) and this led to an increase in the mechanical properties under flexion. Therefore, the addition of the calcined shell of silane treated mollusc in the HDPE polymer matrix led to improvements in thermal and mechanical properties.