PHOTOOXIDATIVE AGING OF LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE - KINETICS DETERMINED BY AN ELECTRICAL METHOD

The efficiency of light stabilizers is investigated by electric method s in the initial stage of photooxidative ageing of low density polyeth ylene (LDPE). Three types of UV light stabilizers are tried to improve the UV stability of LDPE: a phosphite type (3,9-bis[(2,4-di-tert-buty l)phenoxy]-2,4,8, 10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5]undecane) a benzo phenone type [2-hydroxy-4-octyloxy-benzophenone] and a stabilizer base d on chelate salt [2,2'-thiobis(4-tert-octyl phenolato) (n-butylamine) nickel (II)]. LDPE is very susceptible to ultraviolet light. UV light stabilizers improve the stability of low density polyethylene for ele ctrical applications, especially the UV stabilizer based on chelate sa lt.