Flame retardant properties of polyolefin compounds with high loading of micrometric mineral fillers

In this thesis the properties of highly filled composites, consisting of various polyethylene-co-octene (POE) as a matrix with natural filler (magnesium hydroxide), were studied, in order to understand how the different properties of polymers can modify the behaviour of composites at depending on their specific properties. The mechanical properties of highly charged polyolefin compounds used to produce flame retardant electrical cables were investigated. The main purpose of this work is to study the dependence of the properties of the final compounds on the variation of the properties of the ingredient used, using design of experiment (DOE) methods. In particular, the mechanical properties with respect to different parameters are studied. The crystallinity of the main polymers and of the final compounds is also evaluated and is estimated how the crystallinity affects mechanical properties of the final compound. Experiment design refers to the process of planning experiments so that appropriate data can be collected and examined with statistical methods to obtain valid and objective conclusions