Effect of compounding process parameters on the morphological and thermal properties of LDPE-layered silicate nanocomposites

In this work low density polyethylene (LDPE, Riblene FL34 Polimeri Europa)/organoclay (Dellite 72T, Laviosa) nanocomposites were prepared via direct melt intercalation in a co-rotating twin screw extruder (Thermo) with a screw diameter of 24 mm and a length-to-diameter ratio (L/D) of 40. The objective was to investigate the effects of feed and processing conditions upon the formation and properties of LDPE nanocomposites.