Effect of both nano-size alumina particles and severe deformation on polyethylene crystallinity index

The morphological and microstructural changes during ball milling of PE powder mixed with different weight percent (5–15 wt%) of Alumina particles (50–100 nm) were studied. The milling was performed in a planetary ball mill for various times up to 40 h. The results showed that the addition of hard particles accelerates the milling process, leading to fracture of polyethylene matrix. The result of X-ray diffraction analysis determined that the degree of crystallinity of polyethylene decreased by increasing of ball milling time and weight percent of Alumina.