Investigation of tensile properties of polymeric nanocomposite samples in the rotational molding process

Rotational molding is a plastic manufacturing process that is used to produce seamless, one-piece, and hollow parts by rotating a mold subjected to heat and then cooling it. The aim of this study is to investigate the tensile properties of produced polymeric nanocomposite samples by rotational molding. Linear low-density polyethylene was considered as the polymeric matrix, and nanoclay was added at various weight percentages of 0, 1, and 2 as reinforcement. The effects of weight percentages of nanoclay and processing conditions including rotational speed and processing temperature are investigated on the tensile properties of nanocomposite samples based on the design of experiments according to the L₉ orthogonal array of Taguchi approach. Scanning electron microscopy tests were performed on the nanocomposite samples in order to study the possible agglomeration regions of the nanoclays in the polymeric matrix. The results indicate that the processing temperature is the most effective parameter on the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of nanocomposite samples. Tensile strength and Young’s modulus were increased by 21% and 33%, respectively, by increasing the processing temperature. Also, the rotational speed is found to be the second effective parameter on the tensile properties.