A hybrid mathematical modeling strategy for controlling the mechanical performance of polyethylene/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/Nanoclay cast films

Publication date: Available online 26 August 2019Source: Polymer TestingAuthor(s): Reza Ghasemi, Farkhondeh Hemmati, Alireza Shadman, Mohammad Reza Saeb, Jamshid Mohammadi-Roshandeh, Tara Farizeh, As'ad ZandiAbstractA mathematical modeling approach based on the capabilities of response surface methodology (RSM) and desirability function (DF) was applied in the extrusion of polyethyelene (PE)/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/nanoclay (NC) cast films to optimize the mechanical performance with multiple targets. On the basis of RSM, a series of experiments were designed and the effects of material parameters and processing temperature profile on the Young modulus, tensile strength and strain at break of the films were evaluated. Applying RSM statistical analysis, the best regression functions were defined and transformed into the desirability functions to optimize the responses concurrently. The findings show that the PE/EVA/NC films with optimum elastic modulus, strength and toughness is attained by extruding the neat PE-rich blends at higher processing temperatures without adding any nanofiller. The multiple optimization strategies clarifies the great significance of the extruder temperature profile owing to the phase behavior of the mixtures.
Source: Polymer Testing - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research