Chemical reactions during the processing of stabilized PE: 2. Structure/property correlations

Interesting correlations were observed in an optimization project directed towards the development of a recipe for blown PE film production. The analysis of the data and additional experiments indicated that some reactions take place during the processing of stabilized PE which also change the structure of the polymer. Modification of the rheological properties of the polymer and the mechanical characteristics of blown films can be related to these chemical processes. A close correlation was found among basically all rheological and mechanical properties. A tentative explanation is given which relates chemistry, to the structure of the polymer and the properties of the product. According to the hypothesis long chain branches form during processing which decrease MFI, change orientation of the film in the perpendicular direction and result in a considerable decrease in the strength of the blown films.