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Exudation of an antioxidant additive from thin polyethylene films
Author(s) -
Bair H. E.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760130607
Subject(s) - materials science , antioxidant , polyethylene , composite material , thin film , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry , engineering
Surface microscopy studies have revealed the phase separation and exudation of a phenol type of antioxidant [4,4′‐thiobis (3‐methyl‐6 tert. butyl phenol)] from polyethylene at concentrations of 0.08 percent by weight. The equilibrium solubility of the antioxidant in polyethylene was estimated to be less than 0.01 weight percent at room temperature. About 70 percent of the antioxidant was expelled from a thin polyethylene film after storage for three days at 70°C. Since the initial concentration of the stabilizer is typically 0.10 percent of the polymer by weight, the antioxidant exudation can lead to a serious shortening of the expected life of the polymer. Prediction of lifetime by accelerated aging tests must account for the depletion of the stabilizer by exudation. The life of stabilized samples should be measured at concentrations which do not exceed the solubility limit of the antioxidant in polyethylene at its use temperature.