International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VII, Issue VIII, August 2022 | ISSN 2454–6194
U.V. Agbogo1*, S.Z. Kazaure2, A.I Lawal3* and O.F. Akinola4
1,2Nigerian Army University, Biu.
3,4Kaduna State University, Kaduna.
*Corresponding authors
Abstract: World’s population increases by the day, calling for more modern technological needs, polymer blending is the alternative in the realm of material science and engineering because today’s technology necessitates materials with amalgamated properties that are deficient in conventional class of polymers. In this research work, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS) were blended in various percentage proportions, which are 100% HDPE 0% PS, and 50% HDPE/50% PS. Various characterization research was conducted to determine the properties of both the PB1 and PB2 using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR). A water absorption test was also conducted on the prepared blends. The results revealed that the PB2 exhibits better properties than the PB1 due to more strength and water absorption.
Keywords: characterization, polymer blends, absorption
I. INTRODUCTION
In today’s world, technology requires polymeric materials with hybrid properties that conventional polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyterephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and others cannot provide. As a result, technologists, engineers, and scientists are bound to investigate novel polymeric materials to suit the diverse needs of today’s applications. Low density, high abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and corrosion resistance are all desirable material properties. The advancement of blended materials has met and continues to widen these material property combinations and ranges (Brydson, 2015).
Polymer blending can improve toughness, durability, processability, chemical resistance, weatherability, heat stability/high distortion temperature resistance, and rheological behaviour in polymer melt (Hegberg et al., 1992).
Blending, in particular, provides a convenient and less expensive alternative to generating novel polymers. Blending can be customized to fit the needs of certain applications. Blending can produce a greater combination of attributes than either component alone (Ebewele, 2000).