Estudo de propriedades mecânicas do polietileno reticulado (XLPE) processado por rotomoldagem

Abstract

Due to the current economic scenario of growing industrial competition, and due to the environmental issue concerning the avoidance of wasting of raw materials and energy, it was noted an opportunity, especially regarding small-sized businesses that operate on naempirical basis, for shedding some light on this issue of the influence of processing parameters of cross-linked polyethylene, in a way to allow producing rotomolded parts with a better success rate, and lower the loss rate. In this paper were produced in a small scale electrical oven, as a simulation of the actual rotomolding process, test specimens in both temperatures of 220ºC and 250ºC, with processing times ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. Results regarding mechanical properties were evaluated through measurement of Shore-D hardness, traction testing, and impact testing. Results were then evaluated and ranked not only by the mechanical performance, but as well as for the economic feasibility of execution of such parameters in a real world company’s day to day operations. It was found out that it was not possible to meet any satisfactory mechanical resistance at 220ºC, this goal only being achieved at the temperature of 250ºC and processing times above 40 minutes.