Processing stabilization of polyolefins

Abstract

Abstract The response of a HDPE, a L‐LDPE and a PP homopolymer to processing conditions and processing stabilizer formulations in the 220°C to 280°C temperature range was investigated. The technique of multiple extrusion was used. Melt flow and melt flow ratio were measured after the first, third and fifth extrusion pass. In the case of the HDPE and the L‐LDPE, degradation by cross‐linking was the predominant reaction and the molecular weight distribution showed a significant broadening compared to the virgin samples. The PP homopolymer degraded by chain scission. By adding a multifunctional hindered phenol and a hydrolysis resistant phosphite, all polymers could be efficiently protected against degradation on processing. For the HDPE and the L‐LDPE, increased amounts of phosphite provided increased processing stability at constant phenol concentration. A 4:1 ratio of phosphite to phenol exhibited the best performance. The most efficient ratio for protecting melt flow of the PP homopolymer was found when a two to one ratio of phosphite to phenol was added.