# IMPROVING THE STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF LDPE FOAMS USING SILICA NANOPARTICLES AS AN ADDITIVE

> Title: IMPROVING THE STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF LDPE FOAMS USING SILICA NANOPARTICLES AS AN ADDITIVE Page Range: p.63-78 Author(s): Saiz-Arroyo C; Escudero J; Rodriguez-Perez M A; De Saja J A Click Here to Download Now! - File size: 242K (subscribers only)...

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Published: 2011-02-01T00:00:00+00:00
Categories: Cellular Polymers

**Title: IMPROVING THE STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF LDPE FOAMS USING SILICA NANOPARTICLES AS AN ADDITIVE**
 ![](http://cp.jpg)Page Range: p.63-78
 Author(s): Saiz-Arroyo C; Escudero J; Rodriguez-Perez M A; De Saja J A
 ![](http://dload.gif)Click Here to Download Now! - File size: 242K (subscribers only)![](http://pdf.gif)
 Journal: Cellular Polymers
 Issue Year: cp
 Volume: 30
 Issue No: No.2

**Abstract**
 Low density polyethylene/silica nanocomposites have been produced by melt blending and foamed in a high pressure autoclave by gas (CO2) dissolution. Different amounts of nanosilica, (from 1 wt% to 9 wt%) were used in order to analyze the influence of silica content on thermal and mechanical properties of both foamed and un-foamed composites. It has been proved that the presence of silica nanoparticles modifies the structure and properties of both foamed and un-foamed materials. An increase in the crystallinity of the polymeric matrix as well as a decrease in cell size (for low contents of silica) have been observed. In addition it was found a significant increment of melt strength, thermal stability and mechanical properties for both solids and foams. From the obtained results, it has been concluded that silica particles play a multifunctional role in this system, and in addition to this, it has been demonstrated that the use of nanoparticles can produce synergetic effects, increasing foam mechanical properties in a greater extend than that of the solids. 30 Refs.