THE EFFECT OF CROSS-LINKING ON MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF LDPE FILLED WITH ORGANIC FILLERS

Mechanical properties of low density polyethylene filled with various organic fillers were investigated. Different effect of different fille rs on the properties was observed and the effect of crosslinking of th ese materials is also different. Fine anisotropic fillers behave simil arly as inorganic fillers. The effect of crosslinking is the highest f or composites containing large particulate fillers like beech wood flo ur. The effects are discussed in terms of mechanical behaviour and cro sslinking degree determined from extraction or equilibrium swelling da ta. A formation of covalent bonds between the filler surface and polym eric matrix is proposed as a result of crosslinking.