PEAD/PEBDL Composites - Evaluation of the Exfoliation of Organophilic Clay Using the Nielsen Model and of the Mechanical, Optical and Permeability Properties

A typical high density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene (HDPE/LLDPE) blend used in flexible packaging was modified with commercial organophylic montmorilonite clay to obtain nanocomposites with superior barrier properties. Samples with 5 and 7.5% of clay were prepared under different processing conditions. Films produced from the nanocomposites were evaluated in terms of oxygen and water vapor permeation and also by X-ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Tensile and optical properties were also evaluated. The clay showed to be intercalated and partially exfoliated. The oxygen permeation was mainly reduced and the vapor permeation was weakly modified. The mechanical properties and transparency did not change significantly. Nielsen's model was applied considering the relative permeability coefficient. This method was able to give an estimate of the exfoliation state of the samples, supported by the transmission electron microscopy.