I. Chodak et al., THE EFFECT OF CROSS-LINKING ON TOUGHNESS OF COMPOSITE LDPE SILICA, Journal of macromolecular science. Pure and applied chemistry, A31(10), 1994, pp. 1455-1467
The effect of crosslinking on the toughness of LDPE filled with two di
fferent grades of silica was investigated. An elastic plastic fracture
mechanism based on the J integral has been used to evaluate the resul
ts of notch impact resistance. Crosslinking of the matrix in PE/silica
composites leads to improved toughness when compared to uncrosslinked
composites. The increase of toughness results mainly from an increase
in the amount of plastic deformation and, consequently, higher ultima
te deformation at fracture. A positive effect of crosslinking on the d
evelopment of plastic deformation was also demonstrated by SEM, showin
g that the fracture is entirely cohesive.