Melt stabilisation of high-density film-grade polyethylene

The thermoxidative degradation of a high-density polyethylene stabilised either with standard and novel kinds of antioxidants was examined at many different temperatures. The aim of this work was to investigate the degradation response (crosslinking or chain-breakage) on the polyolefin molecular structure in terms of low shear rate melt viscosity increment and oxidation induction time both studied through steady and dynamic shear flow tests performed in a rotational rheometer. Lactone type antioxidants, especially the one containing P-EPQ phosphite component, exhibit the lowest thermoxidative degradation at high temperatures. Vitamine E, used in blend with a phosphite, appears to be a good …