Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.104, No.1, 648-654, 2007
Blends of triazine-based hyperbranched polyether with LDPE and plasticized PVC
Triazine-based hyperbranched polyether was obtained by earlier reported method and blended with low density polyethylene (LDPE) and plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) separately to improve some desirable properties of those linear polymers. The properties like processability, mechanical properties, flammability, etc. of those linear polymers were studied by blending with 1-7.5 phr of hyperbranched polyether. The mechanical properties were also measured after thermal aging and leaching in different chemical media. SEM study indicates that both polymers exhibit homogenous morphology at all dose levels. The mechanical properties like tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness, etc. of LDPE and PVC increase with the increase of dose level of hyperbranched polyether. The flame retardant behavior as measured by limiting oxygen index (1,01) for all blends indicates an enhanced LOI value compared to the polymer without hyperbranched polyether. The processing behavior of both types of blends as measured by solution viscosity and melt flow rate value indicates that hyperbranched polyether acts as a process aid for those base polymers. The effect of leaching and heat aging of these linear polymers on the mechanical properties showed that hyperbranched polyether is a superior antidegradant compared to the commercially used N-isopropyl-N-phenyl p-phenylene diamine. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Keywords:polymer blend;antioxidant;flame retardant;limiting oxygen index (LOI);hyperbranched polyether;PVC;LDPE