Preparation of MDPE-g-MAH copolymers and their effect on properties of MDPE/CaCo3 systems

MDPE-g-MAH copolymers were prepared with MDPE (medium density polyethylene) and MAH (maleic anhydride) under different irradiation doses of high-energy electron accelerator, and FTIR spectra confirmed their structure. The effect of the different contents of MDPE-g-MAH copolymers on properties of MDPE/CaCO₃ system is studied intensively. By adding 4 Phr (parts per hundred of resin) MDPE-g-MAH in MDPE/CaCO₃ system under irradiation dose of 0.7 MGy, the tensile strength increases from 16.3 MPa to 19.9 MPa, and elongation at break increases from 437% to 518%. SEM images show the domain size of CaCO₃ in MDPE-g-MAH systems becomes small. Definitely, MDPE-g-MAH copolymer could improve the compatibility of MDPE/CaCO₃ system effectively.