Morphology and tensile properties of crosslinked nanocomposite foams of low‐density polyethylene and poly(ethylene‐ co ‐vinyl acetate) blends

Abstract This paper studies the morphology and tensile properties of nanocomposite foams of blends of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and poly(ethylene‐ co ‐vinyl acetate) (EVA). Preparations of LDPE/EVA nanocomposites were conducted in an internal mixer, and then samples were foamed via a batch foaming method. Morphology of the nanocomposite blends and nanocomposite foams was studied by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological observations showed that nanoparticle dispersion in the polymeric matrix was affected by the blend ratio in a way such that EVA‐rich samples had a better dispersion of nanoclay than LDPE‐rich ones. In addition, the tensile properties of the nanocomposite foams were related to different variables such as blend ratio, clay content, and foam density. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers