Premium
Molecular modification of slightly cross‐linked HDPE: comparison of electron beam irradiation and peroxide treatments
Author(s) -
Bahramzadeh Alireza,
Try Andrew C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.3810
Subject(s) - materials science , high density polyethylene , melt flow index , polymer , peroxide , polyethylene , viscometer , rheology , cross linked polyethylene , differential scanning calorimetry , irradiation , molar mass distribution , electron beam processing , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , polymer chemistry , composite material , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , viscosity , copolymer , thermodynamics , chemistry , physics , nuclear physics , engineering
The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in molecular structure of high density polyethylene after slightly cross‐linking with either electron beam irradiation or chemically with the peroxide method, by examining both the gel and sol parts of the polymer. Melt flow index and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis tests verify the cross‐linking process after each treatment method. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transformed infrared tests, together with rheology and viscometry tests, show that the cross‐linking process has resulted in not only cross‐linking long chains but also chain scission of short chains, thus broadening the molecular weight distribution. Because these created short chains act like lubricants, cross‐linked chains flow easier. Therefore, the polymer remains processable according to the melt flow index test, and this will make the usage of slightly cross‐linked high density polyethylene in injection molding processes possible. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.