Abstract

Cross-linked polyethylene foam (XPEF) is widely used in packaging and insulation applications. Since
cross-linked polymer cannot be reprocessed similar to thermoplastics, utilization of these thermoset materials
is an environmentally challenging problem. Due to thermoset nature, it can be used as filler or reinforcement
in other base materials. Since cross-linked polyethylene will have a better compatibility with polyolefin matrix,
using waste cross-linked polyethylene as filler in polyolefin material will be an attractive solution First, XPEF
was crushed to particles with mesh size of about seven and was used as filler in linear low density polyethylene
(LLDPE) having 6.5 melt flow index. Concentration of waste cross-linked foam powder was varied up to 40 phr
in LLDPE matrix. Tensile, flexural, impact, vicat softening temperature, heat distortion temperature, scanning
electron microscopy, and rheological properties were analyzed for the prepared compositions. Impact strength
of LLDPE is found to have increased by 380% on 40 phr addition of the foam powder in LLDPE matrix. Overall
changes in mechanical properties are similar to cross-linked polyethylene. From scanning electron microscope
images, it became evident that the waste cross-linked foam powder acted as a point of entanglement with different
chains of LLDPE, giving physical cross-linking.