LDPE, additives

In 1979, the UNIPOL process for gas-phase production of LLDPE was introduced by the Union Carbide Corp. Since the new resins were difficult to process on the lines designed for LDPE, by 1982 several patents were issued for improvement of LLDPE processability by blending it with other polyolefins, viz., LDPE, PP, and olefinic rubbers. Ethylene copolymers, rubbers, EPDM, EVAc, maleated polypropylene, EPR, etc., have also been used (Cowan 1983 Turtle 1983 Fukui et al. 1983 Haas 1983 Hert 1983). Thus, blends LLDPE/LDPE were found miscible at low LDPE contents, then immiscible at high LDPE. Addition of HDPE as cosolvent resulted in miscible tertiary blends (Lee and Denn 2000). 

Films of PP were produced from 20% blends with ethylene-propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) and with LDPE having multiple layers, interconnecting layers, film, ribbons and droplets. Impact strengths for EPDM modification were increased by up to 760% and for smaller but significant values for LDPE addition, depending on mixer rotation speed and sequences. These values were greater than those typically found for a droplet structure [37]. 

Elends of the polyethylene variants (HDPE, LLDPE, LDPE, VLDPE) and ethylene copolymers with polar monomers (EAA, EMAc, EEA, EVA)) are employed in many variations in commercial apphcations, particularly involving film apphcations. LLDPE/LDPE blends were commercially introduced in film apphcations shortly after the introduction of LLDPE in the late 1970s. The earher version of LLDPE required LDPE addition to achieve good processabihty and reduced haze to take advantage of the mechanical properties offered by LLDPE. Several more recent papers wih be briefly discussed, showing the continuing interest in this... 

In contrast, the addition of LDPE or PS to the mixture had Httie effect on its behavior in the Conrad process. 

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is produced under high pressure in the presence of a free radical initiator. As with many free radical chain addition polymerizations, the polymer is highly branched. It has a lower crystallinity compared to HDPE due to its lower capability of packing. 

The pitfalls of a computer model are obvious in that it is only a conceptual representation of the reactor and includes only as many aspects of the real reactor as present knowledge permits. In addition, even the most perfectly conceived description will still depend upon the accuracy of the physically measured constants used in the model for the quality of the process representation. The goal of this report is, however, only to show conceptual trends and the technological base is developed to the extent that the conceptual trends will be correct. In some respects the computer model is a better process development tool than the pilot plant used for the LDPE process since the pilot reactor does not yield directly scaleable information. The reader should take care to direct his attention to the trend information and conceptual differences developed in this work very little attention should be paid to the absolute values of the parameters given. 

E-plastomers, particularly the high- and medium-density materials, have found extensive use in films [17]. They are valued for their excellent seal character which allows the formation of mechanically strong seals at relatively low temperatures compared to traditional low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In addition, these E-plastomers can be obtained in a range of crystallinities and softness. These higher-density materials are typically made in the blown-film process and are used for protective film covers and disposable bags. 

Analysts in industry prefer in many cases to maintain consistent methods for their analyses. Recommended ASTM analytical procedures are quite well developed in the rubber and polymer industry. As an example, we mention the standard test method for determination of phenolic antioxidants and erucamide slip additives in LDPE using liquid chromatography [76]. However, the current industry standard test methods (ASTM, AOAC, IUPAC, etc.) use a large number of solvents in vast... 

Applications Caceres et al. [114] compared various methods for extraction of Tinuvin 770 and Chimas-sorb 944 from HDPE pellets, namely room temperature diffusion in CHC13 (20 % extraction), ultrasonica-tion (20% extraction), Soxtec extraction with DCM (nonsolvent) (50 % extraction), dissolution (dichloroben-zene)/precipitation (2-propanol) (65-70% recovery) and boiling under reflux with toluene (solvent) at 160 °C (95 % extraction). By changing conditions (nature of solvent, T, t) similar comparisons do not have much added value. Table 3.6 compares the results of reflux extraction and MAE for additives in LDPE [115]. 

Table 3.6 Relative efficiencies of microwave-assisted and reflux extraction techniques for additives in LDPE ...

Applications SFE/ESE is a very recent development, which has been used to extract additives from LDPE/(BHT, BHEB, Isonox 129, Irganox 1010, Irganox 1076) with EtOAc/CH3CN (1 1) (ESE ) in combination with scC02 (SFE) [498]. 

Hinman et al. [492] have compared SFE and ASE in the extraction of antioxidants from LDPE. Comparable extraction yields were obtained with both techniques. However, sample clean-up was necessary after ASE , while with SFE the extract could be analysed directly without any post-extraction clean-up. Supercritical fluid extraction of 15 polymer additives (AOs, UVAs, process lubricants, flame retardants and antistatic agents) from eight PS formulations was compared to dissolu-tion/precipitation extractions [557], Additive recoveries were comparable. Numerous additional comparisons can be found under the specific headings of the extraction techniques (Sections 3.3 and 3.4). 

Oligomeric hindered amine light stabilisers, such as Tinuvin 622 and Chimassorb 944, resist satisfactory analysis by conventional HPLC and have required direct UV spectroscopic analysis of a polyolefin extract [596], PyGC of an extract [618,648], or SEC of an extract [649]. Freitag et al. [616] determined Tinuvin 622 in LDPE, HDPE and PP by saponification of the polymer dissolution in hot toluene via addition of an... 

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