The effects of interfacial interaction between nano-CaCO3 andPVCon mechanical properties and morphology of PVC/nano-CaCO3 composites were studied. Nano-CaCO3 was treated with vibromilling in the presence of PVC and coupling agents. The mechanical properties of PVC/treated nano-CaCO3 are remarkably improved. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed that vibromilled nano-CaCO3 particles are well dispersed in PVC matrix with good homogeneity and well adhered to PVC matrix. Molau test indicated that chemical reaction between newly formed surface of nano-CaCO3 and PVC or coupling agent took place. Theoretical calculation results show that the interfacial interaction between PVC and nano-CaCO3 are substantially improved through vibromilling treatment of nano-CaCO3 in the presence of PVC and coupling agent. Molau test results of the samples in THF.

The effects of die materials on die pressure, productivity of extrusion, melt viscosity, and melt fracture of metallocene-catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) as well as their mechanism were studied in a single screw extrusion system. Die materials used in our experiment include steel, brass, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The experimental results show that die materials have great influence on the processing behavior of mLLDPE. The PTFE die can greatly inhibit the occurrence of melt fracture or surface distortion of mLLDPE extrudate. The surface appearance of raLLDPE extrudate is greatly improved. The PTFE die can greatly increase the productivity of mLLDPE extrudate and decrease the die pressure and the melt viscosity of mLLDPE. A possible mechanism For the improved processability of mLLDPE is proposed.

The effects of ultrasonic oscillations on the rheological and viscoelastic properties and morphology of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/Illite (70/30) composites were studied. The experimental results showed that the die pressure and apparent viscosity of the HDPE/Illite (70/30) composites were reduced greatly, and so the mass-flow rate significantly increased in the presence of ultrasonic oscillations during the extrusion. Scanning electron microscopy and linear viscoelasticity tests showed that ultrasonic oscillations improved the dispersion of the Illite particles into the HDPE matrix. The aggregation of the Illite particles disappeared on the fractured surfaces of HDPE/Illite (70/30) composites extruded in the presence of ultrasonic oscillations, and this indicated that ultrasonic oscillations promoted the homogeneous dispersion of Illite particles into the HDPE matrix. Ultrasonic oscillations caused the permanent reduction of the dynamic viscosity and zero-shear viscosity of HDPE/Illite (70/30) composites.

In this study, the extrusion processing behaviors of polystyrene (PS), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), and their blend (PS/EPDM, 80/20) were studied by using a special ultrasonic oscillation extrusion system developed in our laboratory. The die pressure and volume flow rate were measured at different ultrasonic intensities and screw rotation speeds. The dependences on ultrasonic intensity of die pressure, volume flow rate, and apparent viscosity of polymers, as well as die swell at the same screw rotation speed were investigated. The effects of screw rotation speed on the processing behaviors of polymers and their blend at the same ultrasonic intensity were also studied. The experimental results showed that in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation, the processibilities of polymers and their blend were improved. Their possible mechanism is discussed in this article.

The effects of ultrasonic oscillations on linear viscoelastic behaviors of metallocene-catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) and its blends with low density polyethylene (LDPE) were investigated in this article. The experimental results showed that ultrasonic oscillations can increase the cross modulus, characteristic time, plateau modulus, complex viscosity, zero shear viscosity, and flow activation energy of mLLDPE. Molecular weight of mLLDPE increases but molecular polydispersity index decreases in the presence of ultrasonic oscillations. It has been found for mLLDPE/LDPE blends that the addition of LDPE as well as ultrasonic oscillations can decrease the cross modulus but increase the characteristic time of the blends. The complex viscosity, zero shear viscosity, and flow activation energy of the blends increase by the addition of LDPE, but decrease in the presence of ultrasonic oscillations. Shear thinning effect of the blends is improved because of the addition of LDPE.