Development of Rare Earth Element based fillers and investigation of the effects of these fillers on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of calcite reinforced polyethylene

In this study, which fillers can be added alternatively and their production processes are investigated in order to improve the fluidity and other mechanical properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE), which is a recyclable thermoplastic with calcium carbonate (calcite) additives in its structure. In the first stage, general information about polymers and their properties is given, production processes and usage areas of polymers are specified. After that, thermoplastics and recyclable types of thermoplastics, which constitute the main field of study, were examined. The effects of fillers developed in recyclable thermoplastics depending on the manufacturer's requirements were investigated. Electrostatic powder coatings developed for thermoplastic matrix materials and fillers containing rare earth elements lanthanum and cerium have been investigated, especially on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of these thermoplastics. First of all, three different fillers were developed using low density polyethylene (LDPE), electrostatic powder paints and rare earth elements. Then, these fillers were reinforced into 70% calcite added low density polyethylene (LDPE), which is used as matrix material, at 10%, 20% and 30% by weight. The mixtures were first prepared mechanically and then homogenized by extrusion at certain temperatures. These homogeneous materials were poured into the plastic injection machine under a certain temperature and pressure, and pressed into the molds and pull rods were produced. Mechanical tensile and bending tests of the produced test samples and TGA/DTA analyzes as thermal analysis were performed. Bar sections were visualized by scanning electron microscopy to examine the physical bonding mechanisms of the matrix and fillers.