Mechanisms of stabilisation of high density polyethylene against oxidationusing highly dispersed Fe-FeO mixtures

The resistance of high density polyethylene to thermal oxidation has been i mproved by addition of highly dispersed particles of Fe-FeO. Specimens were exposed to thermal aging in air at 80 degrees C, and their mechanical beha viour under tensile stress was then investigated. It was shown that Fe-FeO acted as a stabiliser for high density polyethylene, improving its thermal stability and mechanical properties. The factors responsible for these impr ovements were an increase in the amount of interphase between the crystalli ne and amorphous phases, decreased crystallite size, and increased network entanglement density. PRC/1380 (C) 2000 IoM Communications Ltd.