[Santhu-Malkapur]

I am a material science student, working on a plastic/polymer (polyethylene, solid form) based composite for constructional applications. Initially, the mechanical strength was lesser, probably because of poor bond characteristics of plastic. So to improve strength, i used some physical surface treatment methods (surface made rough by abrading with sand paper) to treat my plastics, but i did not get much improvements in strength.

I can’t go for chemical treatment. Surface treatment methods like “Corona treatment” will be a bit uneconomical for me. Hence, I would like to know are there any alternative "economic physical methods" that can be effectively used for surface treatment of plastics/polymer.

[fledarmus]

I'm not sure what you are asking. Are you trying to bond articles made of these composites and the strength of your bond is an issue? Or are you making articles of these composites, and the articles themselves are weak so you are trying to strengthen them with a surface treatment?

[Santhu-Malkapur]

Sorry, i think my question was not clearly written..
To be precise, i am working on a polymer(solid form) based composite for which cement is a binder. I am worried about the bond between cement and polymer (i.e. bond of ingredients) in the composite.

As i go through the literature, it says, the surface energy of the polymers has to be increased in order to get good bond and strength. For which i have performed some surface treatment methods and was unsuccessful in getting desired strength, as i said previously.

So as pointed out, the issue is clearly strengthening of composite itself, by improving the bonding of polymers (with cement) by physical surface treatments. If there are any links, please let me know.

[jaspevacek]

Hold on here. "Surface" treatment is just that - treating the surface. As when you have a finished or semi-finished object that you are trying to adhere something else to.

If you are working with a PE/cement composite, meaning that the PE is dispersed throughout the cement (or vice versa), then "surface" treatment takes on a whole new meaning. I would forget everything about "surface" treatment and instead focus on functionalizing the PE so that it is more receptive to the cement.