The deformation behavior at room temperature of injection-molded and blow-molded samples of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) differing in orientation (with respect to the melt flow direction) and in filler content (untreated and surface-treated kaolin, respectively) were characterized by the stretching calorimetry technique. Samples with longitudinal and transversal orientations were examined. Strain-softening and strain-hardening phenomena were observed, respectively, in the range of inelastic strains above the yield point. The depression of yield stresses for the filled composites compared to those for the corresponding neat polymers is associated with the onset of debonding of the matrix polymer from the filler surface. The analysis of the energy balance of the debonding process suggests that the fraction of a debonded interface is smaller in samples containing a coupling agent and larger filler particles.

This work was supported by the BMBF through project UKR-031-96 and by the DGICYT, Spain (grant PB94-0049). Thanks are due to the Ministerio de Educacion y Cultura, Spain, for a sabbatical grant to V. P. P.

13 pags., 5 figs., 2 tabs. -- Part IV of the series: Composition-Dependent Properties of Polyethylene/Kaolin Composites.