Thermo-oxidation of crosslinked polyethylene: Influence of the antioxidant

The present work deals with the influence of UV-irradiation conditions and the presence of coagents on the crosslinking efficiency in low-density PE containing two different types of commercial phenolic antioxidant. Chemiluminescence, and determination of oxidation induction periods and times for 50% loss of elongation at break have been applied for evaluation of thermo-oxidative stability. Peroxide-induced crosslinking of PE in the presence of the same peroxide-coagent systems were also studied, to understand better the antioxidant reactions during the crosslinking process and to help to select the proper procedure for production of thermostabilized crosslinked PE materials.