Efeito do agente compatibilizante PE-g-MAH em blenda polimérica híbrida LSZH/HDPE

Abstract

This paper presents a study on the effect of the compatibilizing PE-g-MAH on the properties of the hybrid polymer blends of low smoke zero halogen and high density polyethylene LSZH / HDPE, aiming at obtaining a suitable material for use in cross web of telecommunication cables. The requirements for this function are electrical insulation capability, to avoid electromagnetic interference between the conductor pair’s constituent of the cable, and resistance to flammability, due to the growing concern about the health and environmental risks in the event of fires. LSZH compounds are used in the manufacture of cables because they are flame-resistant and halogen-free materials, but have no electrical insulation capacity. HDPE is a dielectric material, but it lacks the flammability resistance. PE-g-MAH is a compatibilizing that improves the flammability resistance of hybrid polymer blends by increasing the dispersion of the flame retardant loads. The LSZH / HDPE blend was analyzed with the addition of different proportions of PE-g-MAH in order to obtain the proportion that presents properties more suitable for the application in cross web. Samples containing 8%, 10% and 12% PE-g-MAH were prepared in blends containing 75% LSZH-A (LOI 33 %) and 10% and 12% PE-g-MAH samples in blends containing 75% of LSZH- B (LOI 37 %). It was observed that the addition of PE-g-MAH increases the dispersion of the flame-retardants, improves the flammability resistance and decreases the electrical insulation capacity of the blender. The ratio 75/13/12 LSZH-B / HDPE / PE-g-MAH presented the most suitable properties for use in cross web, with oxygen index of 33.6%, dielectric constant at 1 MHz of 3.06, resistivity 3.05.1015 Ohm.cm, tensile strength of 14.47 MPa and elongation at break of 412%.