Shear-Induced Molecular Orientation of Compression Moulded PE-HD Sheets

The article presents experimental results on orientation of polymer macromolecules in compression moulded high density polyethylene sheets. Properties anisotropy of thermoplastic films or sheets, that are usually formed in the extrusion process, causes deformation of thermoformed products and is a serious technological problem. One of the possible solutions of this problem is application of compression moulded sheets. The paper presents the results of tests of selected strength characteristics of compression moulded PE-HD sheets. A static tensile test was performed and Charpy impact strength was determined. Additionally Chrystler’s orientation test was executed. For comparison the same experiments were performed on extruded sheets. Samples were cut in directions perpendicular and parallel to the direction of polymer flow in pressing and extrusion processes. The obtained results indicate that the compression moulding technique allows the production of sheets that do not exhibit statistically significant anisotropy of the tested strength properties.