Open AccessChemical modification of low density polyethylene through reactive extrusion: Part I: Process development and product characterization
Author(s) -
Nield Stuart A.,
Tzoganakis Costas,
Budman Hector M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
advances in polymer technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.523
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1098-2329
pISSN - 0730-6679
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2329(200024)19:4<237::aid-adv1>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - reactive extrusion , materials science , extrusion , low density polyethylene , rheology , plastics extrusion , molar mass distribution , composite material , rheometer , polyethylene , polymer chemistry , polymer
A reactive extrusion (REX) process has been developed for the chemical modification of a low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) resin using a small amount of peroxide. Experiments have been performed according to a central composite statistical design using a twin screw extruder equipped with an in‐line wedge die rheometer. The modified materials have been analyzed in terms of their rheological properties, molecular weight distribution (MWD), and gel count levels. The results have shown that the MWD may be broadened while minimizing gel content and maintaining a melt index above a minimum value. Response surface analysis of the data has shown the peroxide concentration to be the most significant process variable for the range of conditions used. In addition, the statistical analysis has revealed significant correlations between the weight‐average molecular weight and consistency index and between power law index and the high molecular weight tail of the MWD ? 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 19: 237–248, 2000