Grafting functional antioxidants on highly crosslinked polyethylene

Sahar Al-Malaika*, Selma Riasat, Cezary Lewucha

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

The problem of interference of antioxidants, such as hindered phenols, with peroxide-initiated crosslinking of polyethylene was addressed through the use of functional (reactive) graftable antioxidants (g-AO). Reactive derivatives of hindered phenol and hindered amine antioxidants were synthesised, characterised and used to investigate their grafting reactions in high density polyethylene; both non-crosslinked (PE) and highly peroxide-crosslinked (PEXa). Assessment of the extent of in-situ grafting of the antioxidants, their retention after exhaustive solvent extraction in PE and PEXa, and the stabilising performance of the grafted antioxidants (g-AO) in the polymer were examined and benchmarked against conventionally stabilised crosslinked & non-crosslinked polyethylene. It was shown that the functional antioxidants graft to a high extent in PEXa, and that the level of interference of the g-AOs with the polymer crosslinking process was minimal compared to that of conventional antioxidants which bear the same antioxidant function. The much higher level of retention of the g-AOs in PEXa after exhaustive solvent extraction, compared to that of the corresponding conventional antioxidants, accounts for their superior long-term thermal stabilising performance under severe extractive conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationVIII International Conference on “Times of Polymers and Composites”
Subtitle of host publicationfrom Aerospace to Nanotechnology
EditorsAlberto d’Amore, Domenico Acierno, Luigi Grassia
PublisherAIP
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)978-0-7354-1390-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 May 2016
Event8th International Conference on Times of Polymers and Composites: from Aerospace to Nanotechnology - Ischia, Naples, Italy
Duration: 19 Jun 201623 Jun 2016

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings.
PublisherAIP
Volume1736

Conference

Conference8th International Conference on Times of Polymers and Composites
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityIschia, Naples
Period19/06/1623/06/16

Bibliographical note

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Keywords

  • crosslinked polyethylene
  • Functional antioxidants
  • Long term thermal stability

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