Self-reinforcement of high-density polyethylene/low-density polyethylene prepared by oscillating packing injection molding under low pressure

This article reports the toughness improvement of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) by low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in oscillating packing injection molding, whereas tensile strength and modulus are greatly enhanced by oscillating packing at the same time. Compared with self-reinforced pure HDPE, the tensile strength of HDPE/LDPE (80/20 wt %) keeps at the same level, and toughness increases. Multilayer structure on the fracture surface of self-reinforced HDPE/LDPE specimens can be observed by scanning electron microscope. The central layer of the fracture surface breaks in a ductile manner, whereas the break of shear layer is somewhat brittle. The strength and modulus increase is due to the high orientation of macromolecules along the flow direction, refined crystallization, and shish-kebab crystals. Differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray diffraction find cocrystallization occurs between HDPE and LDPE. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 799–804, 1999