Journal of Textile Research ›› 2024, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (02): 28-35.doi: 10.13475/j.fzxb.20231003901

• Fiber Materials • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Preparation of high melt flowing index polyethylene masterbatch and spinnability of infrared melt-blown nonwovens

WEI Yihui1, ZHANG Yujing1, DENG Huihua2, DENG Qinghui2, CHEN Haoqiang2, ZHANG Xuzhen3, YU Bin1, ZHU Feichao1,4,5()   

  1. 1. College of Textile Science and Engineering(International Institute of Silk), Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
    2. Guangdong Ganrong Technology Co., Ltd., Foshan, Guangdong 528010, China
    3. College of Material Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
    4. Key Laboratory of Industrial Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
    5. Shaoxing Eco Textile Technology Co., Ltd., Shaoxing, Zhejiang 311800, China
  • Received:2023-10-13 Revised:2023-11-12 Online:2024-02-15 Published:2024-03-29

Abstract:

Objective The application of micro/nano ultrafine fiber aggregate materials with high transmittance and medium infrared performance in intelligent buildings, physical therapy and health energy is constantly expanding. Polyethylene (PE), as a typical high transmittance medium infrared material, has not yet received systematic research and applications in relation to its infrared transmittance ultrafine fiber materials. Melt-blown method can be used to prepare PE ultrafine fiber aggregates with high quality and efficiency. However, not much research has been witnessed on PE raw materials for melt-blown performance and melt-blown formation, and there is no PE melt-blown material with satisfactory performance in the market. This study prepared PE master batches with high melt index (HMI-PE) for melt spraying, further prepared PE melt spraying materials (PE-MBs), and studied their infrared transmittance.

Method Using spinning grade PE as raw material, high melt index PE master batches (HMI-PE) were prepared by reactive extrusion using a synergistic method of plasticizer (plasticizer, polyethylene wax(PEW)) and catalyst (initiator, DCP) chain breaking. The rheological properties, molecular weight and distribution, crystallization performance, and thermal stability of the HMI-PE master batches were investigated. Furthermore, PE melt-blown materials (PE-MBs) were prepared using SJ-25 micro melt blown testing mechanism, and the apparent morphology and mechanical of PE-MBs were studied. The infrared transmittance performance was characterized and analyzed.

Results Under the same temperature conditions, as the mass fraction of PEW increased, the melt index(MI) of HMI-PE master batches continuously increased. At different temperatures, the magnitude of the increase in MI of HMI-PE master batches increased with the increase of temperature. Under constant temperature conditions, the complex viscosity showed a decreasing trend with an increase in shear rate, resulting in a decrease in molecular weight and a wider distribution of molecular weight. The glass melting temperature and cold crystallization peak of HMI-PE master batches generally shifted to the left, and with the increase of PEW content, a melting peak with lower temperature and wider peak range would appear, without significant impact on thermal stability. When the mass fraction of PEW was greater than 30%, the HMI-PE masterbatches reached over 200 g/(10 min) (230 ℃), exhibiting great melt-blown spinnability. The fiber diameter of PE-MBs were distributed in an approximate normal pattern, and with the increase of melt index, the fiber diameter decreased to 7.72 μm. The longitudinal tensile strength of PE-MBs decreased with the increased of PEW content, while their flexibility and overall mechanical properties became better. Research had shown that the infrared transmittance was related to the thickness of the material and the thickness of the fibers. The thinner the material, the finer the fibers, and the higher the infrared transmittance.

Conclusion The synergistic method of plasticizer and catalytic chain breaking can be used to prepare high melt index polyethylene master batches, showing good melt-blown spinnability. PE melt-blown nonwoven materials have narrow absorption peaks in the mid infrared band, and their infrared transmittance can reach over 92%, making them an excellent infrared transparent material.

Key words: polyethylene, melt-blown, nonwoven, rheological property, infrared transmittance, spinnability

CLC Number: 

  • TS176

Fig. 1

Preparing process of HMI-PE masterbatch(a) and PE-MBs(b)"

Fig. 2

Mechanism of reactive extrusion preparation of HMI-PE masterbatch"

Fig. 3

Melt flow properties of HMI-PE masterbatch. (a) Melt index curves; (b) Shear viscosity curves"

Fig. 4

Molecular weight distribution of HMI-PE masterbatches"

Tab. 1

Molecular weight distribution parameters of HMI-PE masterbatches"

试样 Mn Mw PDI
0# 385 672 529 068 1.131
1# 327 745 485 409 1.279
2# 319 682 436 272 1.481
3# 305 424 401 126 1.365
4# 224 655 377 645 1.681
5# 212 492 352 099 1.657

Fig. 5

DSC heating(a) and cooling(b) curves of PEW and HMI-PE masterbatches"

Tab. 2

DSC parameters of PEW and HMI-PE masterbatchs"

样品 冷结晶温
度/℃
冷结晶焓/
(J·g-1)
熔融温
度/℃
熔融焓/
(J·g-1)
结晶
度/%
PEW 90.0 51.2 99.7 14.5
0# 105.3 84.5 120.4 78.0 28.8
1# 106.4 65.2 121.9 76.4 24.7
2# 106.6 57.1 122.4 53.8 24.4
3# 105.4 47.8 119.7 49.4 23.3
4# 104.7 38.2 120.2 44.6 21.7
5# 104.1 23.1 119.1. 55.2 15.8

Fig. 6

TGA (a) and DTG (b) curves of HMI-PE masterbatches"

Tab. 3

Thermogravimetric parameters of HMI-PE masterbatches℃"

样品 T5% T50% T95%
PEW 380.0 434.1 451.1
0# 419.9 448.8 460.7
1# 413.7 446.2 459.4
2# 408.8 443.4 456.9
3# 397.9 437.1 451.6
4# 392.6 433.1 450.8
5# 387.2 431.5 447.8

Fig. 7

SEM and fiber diameter and its distribution of PE-MBs obtained by HMI-PE masterbatches with different melt index"

Fig. 8

Stress-strain curves of PE-MBs"

Fig. 9

Infrared thermography and infrared transmittance of different fabrics. (a) Blank control group; (b) Sample 3#; (c) Sample 4#; (d) Sample 5#; (e) Polyethylene membrane; (f) Cotton fabric; (g) Infrared transmittance of different fabrics"

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