Document Abstract
ANTEC Papers: 2001
0349: Studies in Rotational Moulding of Linear Polyethylene Modified with Elast
Y. B. Vasudeo,S.M. Nabar, J. Kapadia & R. Rangaprasad Product Application Research Centre Reliance Industries limited V. N. Purav Marg, Chembur, Mumbai- 400 071 India Email: Yatish_vasudeo@ril.com
The dream of making an “ all-plastics” car is fast approaching commercial reality. The Indian automobile industry has leapsfrogged and is able to offer to local and international customers`s fuel-efficient and light-weight cars in designer models. Against the background, the small electric car is innovation being explored by some automotive OEMs. As a further innovation, development of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) compounds by rotational moulding technique is being scrutinized. At present , vehicle bumpers are conventionally made by injection moulding. But as the initial cost for an injection tool is very high as compared to the rotational moulding tool,vehicle manufacturers are looking into the possibility of using Rotational moulding as an alternative process to produce automobile parts. The scope of the present studies was directed towards the optimization of elastomers, fillers and flow modifiers during compounding with LLDPE to make a compound suitable for car bumper. The studies were focussed on pulverizing aspects of the LLDPE compound containing elastomers and fillers. The Rotational moulding conditions were optimized for making hollow boxes. The cut specimens from the rotomoulded products were tested for flexural modulus and notched izod impact strength to arrive at the correct recipe.