Polyolefin polymer stiffness

Nonwood fibers are used in relatively small volumes. Examples of nonwood pulps and products include cotton Enters for writing paper and filters, bagasse for cormgated media, esparto for filter paper, or Manila hemp for tea bags. Synthetic pulps which are based on such materials as glass (qv) and polyolefins also are used (see Olefin polymers). These pulps are relatively expensive and usually are used in blends with wood pulps where they contribute a property such as tear resistance, stiffness, or wet strength which is needed to meet a specific product requirement. 

This polymer is typical of the aliphatic polyolefins in its good electrical insulation and chemical resistance. It has a melting point and stiffness intermediate between high-density and low-density polyethylene and a thermal stability intermediate between polyethylene and polypropylene. 

Polyolefins with branched side chains other than P4MP1 have been prepared Figure 11.14). Because of their increased cohesive energy, ability for the molecules to pack and the effect of increasing chain stiffness some of these polymers have very high melting points. For example, poly-(3-methylbut-l-ene) melts at about 240°C and poly-(4,4-dimethylpent-l-ene) is reported to have a melting point of between 300 C and 350°C. Certain cyclic side chains can also... 

Polypropylene block and graft copolymers are efficient blend compatibilizers. These materials allow the formation of alloys, for example, isotactic polypropylene with styrene-acrylonitrile polymer or polyamides, by enhancing the dispersion of incompatible polymers and improving their interfacial adhesion. Polyolefinic materials of such types afford property synergisms such as improved stiffness combined with greater toughness. 

The PET polymer structure can also be generated from the reaction of ethylene glycol and dimethyl terephthalate, with methyl alcohol as the byproduct. A few producers still use this route. The aromatic rings coupled with short aliphatic chains are responsible for a relatively stiff polymer molecule, as compared with more aliphatic structures such as polyolefin or polyamide. The lack of segment mobility in the polymer chains results in relatively high thermal stability, as will be discussed later. 

Porter, R.S. Kanamoto, T. Zachariades, A.E. Property opportunities with polyolefins a review. Preparations and applications of high stiffness and strength by uniaxial draw. Polymer 1994, 35, 4979. 

Determination of the residual antioxidant content in polymers by HPLC and MAE is one way to determine the amoimt needed for reasonable stabilization of a material, and also to compare different antioxidants and their individual efficiencies. During ageing and oxidation of PE, carboxyhc acids, dicarboxylic acids, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, n-alkanes and 1-alkenes are formed [86-89]. The carboxyhc acids are formed as a result of various reactions of alkoxy or peroxy radicals [90]. The oxidation of polyolefins is generally monitored by various analytical techniques. GC-MS analysis in combination with a selective extraction method is used to determine degradation products in plastics. ETIR enables the increase in carbonyls on a polymer chain, from carboxylic acids, dicarboxyhc acids, aldehydes, and ketones, to be monitored. It is regarded as one of the most definite spectroscopic methods for the quantification and identification of oxidation in materials, and it is used to quantify the oxidation of polymers [91-95]. Mechanical testing is a way to determine properties such as strength, stiffness and strain at break of polymeric materials. 

M. Sain, S. Law, F. Suhara, and A. Bouiloux. Interface modification and stiffness correlation of natural fibre—polyolefin composite products. In Wood fibre Polymer Composites Symposium. Application and Trends, Bordeaux, France, March 27-28, 2003. 

PVC films surpass polyolefine films in strength, resistance to oils and impermeability to gases and aromatic substances. Stiff PVC films display mold-ability. Their drawbacks are low thermal-, light- and frost-resistance, poor heat-sealing and propensity to agglutination. Soft PVC films are produced from a plasticized polymer. Introduction of a plasticizer into the polymer base adds elasticity, transparency and glitter, improves frost resistance and... 

---