Surface modification of MgO filler by radiation

Direct radiation method has been used to graft methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto magnesium oxide (MgO) powder. The graft products were characterized by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction. Their surface properties were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and determination of water contact angle. The grafted MgO was used as a filler of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The experimental results showed that the dispersibility of MgO in polymer matrix is remarkably improved, when the MgO is grafted with MMA. The tensile strength and elongation percentage at break of HDPE filled the modified MgO were higher than those of unmodified. When the HDPE was filled by modified MgO, its thermal stability was remarkably improved. (author)