A novel way to produce nano CaCO3 p reinforced polyethylene matrix by friction stir processing

In the present study, nano CaCO3 particles were incorporated into polyethylene matrix to form particulate surface layers. The volume percentage of nano-sized powder in fabricated composites was 10%. Utilized method is a new variant of friction stir processing, which involved a rotating pin and a stationary heated shoe. The role of tool pin and shoe (shoulder) were mixing and keeping the material in pressure during process, respectively. The effect of process parameters such as shoulder temperature and number of tool pass was investigated on mechanical properties of fabricated nanocomposite. Micro-hardness and tensile tests were utilized to investigate mechanical properties. It has been observed that the samples produced at shoulder temperature close to polyethylene softening temperature show significant improvement in mechanical properties such as modulus of elasticity and micro hardness number. Moreover, increasing the number of tool pass resulted in a remarkable growth in microhardness number and elastic modulus

Keywords:

Friction stir processing , PE/CaCO3 , Nanocomposite , Mechanical properties