Prediction of service half-life time of high density polyethylene/organo-modified calcium carbonate composite exposed naturally at Dong Hoi - Quang Binh

Abstract

Natural exposure and accelerated weather testing were carried out on high density polyethylene/organo-modified calcium carbonate (HDPE/m-CaCO₃) composite. The natural exposure was conducted at Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh province (Viet Nam) for 36 months. The accelerated weather testing was carried out in a UV condensation weather device for 720 hours. The molecular weight of HDPE in HDPE/m-CaCO₃ composites was decreased significantly with rising natural exposure time. The drop in mechanical properties of composite was also reduced. The change in tensile strength of HDPE/m-CaCO₃ composite and average molecular weight of HDPE in the composite after testing was chosen to predict the service half-Iife time of the composite. It was found that the tensile strength of composite tested in accelerated weather testing condition for 240.5 hours was as the same as the case tested for 337.5 days in natural exposure condition. The service half-life time of the composite determined owing to the molecular weight and remained percentage of tensile strength was 11.2 months and 25.6 months, respectively.