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A new technique for determining the oxidative stability of molten polymers
Author(s) -
Trizisky J. D.
Publication year - 1979
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.760191108
Subject(s) - polymer , induction period , materials science , polyethylene , oxygen , oxidative phosphorylation , autocatalysis , chemical engineering , antioxidant , low density polyethylene , organic chemistry , composite material , chemistry , catalysis , biochemistry , engineering
A new method and apparatus for determining the oxidative stability of molten polymers, especially polyolefins, is described. The apparatus consists of a laboratory scale mixer modified to allow for the continuous determination of the oxygen absorbed by the polymer. The oxygen uptake curve observed for polyolefins is of the type normally associated with the autocatalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons and yields an induction period—a traditional measure of stability. Typical results from experiments concerning the antioxidant type, antioxidant level and temperature on polyethylene stabilization are presented to illustrate the usefulness of the technique in both quality control and research applications.