Effects of Calcium Sulfate Whiskers on the Mechanical Properties and Light Transmittance of PE Greenhouse Films

Abstract

Abstract Calcium sulfate whisker (CSW) is a kind of fiber crystal material with high orientation structure. The major goal of this research is to study the changes of mechanical properties and light transmittance of PE greenhouse film with different proportions of CSW. The experimental results show that the mechanical properties and light transmittance of PE/CSW films are enhanced compared with the pure PE. For PE/2%CSW, it shows a 18.6% increase in tear strength, a 3.1% increase in luminous transmittance and 17.7% increase in haze. The PE/5%CSW demonstrates a 12.8% higher in tensile strength, a 20.5% higher in tear strength, a 23.9% lower in luminous transmittance and a 53.0% higher in haze. This article gives a new formula to strengthen the mechanical properties of PE greenhouse films and finds the direction for the research and development of astigmatic covering film.