Thermal properties of uncross-linked and cross-linked LLDPE/wax blends

Thermal properties of cross-linked and uncross-linked LLDPE/wax blends were investigated. The blends were prepared through thorough mixing of the powd ery ingredients, followed by 10 min pressing at 180 degrees C. The extent o f cross-linking was determined through gravimetric analysis of the gel cont ent of the samples. The thermal properties were determined with a different ial scanning calorimeter (DSC), while a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) wa s used to determine the thermal stability of the samples. The analyses of c ross-link density of the samples indicated that the wax is grafted onto the LLDPE chains at higher wax concentrations. The DSC results indicated that LLDPE and wax are miscible in the crystalline phase, and that cross-linking reduces polyolefin crystallinity, The TGA results indicated a reduction in thermal stability of the blends with increasing wax portion. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.