MODIFICATION OF POLYETHYLENE WITH MALEIC ESTERS

The effect of allyl (AM), butyl (BM) and dodecyl maleates (DM) on the crosslinking of low density polyethylene (LDPE) with dicumyl peroxide have been examined. Mechanical properties of compounds and degree of c rystallinity of LDPE have been determined. it turned out that these ma leic esters are efficient coagents of LDPE crosslinking, with AM being the most effective one although the increase in the crosslinking degr ee has not always an advantageous effect an the improvement of mechani cal properties of the compound involved. The addition of DCP, ZnO and AM brings about a decrease in crystallinity degree of LDPE, while DM c auses the degree of crystallinity to increase by about 6% as compared with that of unmodified LDPE which has an advantageous influence on it s mechanical properties.