ISSN:
0003-3146
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Physics
Notes:
The thermal oxidation of β ray-crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) was studied in temperatures ranging from 90 to 180°C. Various analytical methods were used for determination of an end of the induction period on bulk samples: gravimetry, ultimate tensile properties, density and color change. On microtome slices of ∼30 μm thickness the depth distribution of oxidation products, phenolic antioxidant, density and tensile ultimate properties were followed as a function of exposure time by respectively IR and UV spectrophotometry, densitometry and Microfoil Tensile Testing.Depending on the testing method different durations of induction period (DIP) were obtained. They increase in following order:Phenol depletion 〈 Ultimate elongation 〈 Density 〈 Carbonyl build-up ≤ Color change 〈 Weight loss.The difference between phenol depletion DIP and carbonyl build-up DIP can be considered as negligible at temperatures higher than the melting point (about 30%) but it reachs more than 100% at T〈 Tm.Different kinetic regimes of phenol consumption were observed depending on the exposure temperature. A mechanistic interpretation is proposed explaining the role of the stabilizer system in initially homogeneous and later heterogeneous oxidation of the bulk material.The Arrhenius law was applied to different durations of induction period. A discontinuity appeared in the melting point region (120-130°C) which is tentatively interpreted in terms of different stabilizer concentration in amorphous phase of semicrystalline material (T 〈 Tm) and in melt material (T 〉 Tm). On the basis of the presented complex study of polyethylene thermo-oxidation, different aspects of lifetime predictions are discussed.
Additional Material:
10 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/apmc.1995.052320101
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