Co-milling-assisted exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets filler introduction in polyethylene and alumina composites

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the effect of co-milling-assisted exfoliation of graphite into polyethylene and alumina matrices on the mechanical properties of the composites. Tensile mechanical properties of composite materials based on polyethylene reinforced with graphite and graphite-derived fillers at 0–0.75 wt% loading were investigated, while hardness and flexural properties of alumina composites with 0.25 wt% loading of the same additives were assessed. Exfoliated graphite, applied at 0.25–0.75 wt% in pre-exfoliated form or in a co-milling-assisted fashion, has been demonstrated to be effective in enhancing the tensile strength of polyethylene composites. Similar enhancement in hardness and flexural properties was observed in alumina composites with 0.25 wt% loading of the exfoliated graphite. Co-milling-assisted exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets additive introduction has been found to effect a more desirable mechanical properties enhancement in the composites investigated in this study.