Reversible crosslinked low density polyethylenes: structure and thermal properties

In the present study, low density polyethylene (LDPE) has been crosslinked at 170 A degrees C with three different systems by a) using peroxide, b) peroxide and accelerator and c), peroxide, accelerator and sulfur. The effect of chemical crosslinking on LDPE structure has been investigated using torque measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Therefore, effects of each crosslinking system on the structural and thermal properties of the material in terms of crystallinity, thermal transitions and stability have been discussed. The reversible crosslinking of LDPE allow the recyclability of polyolefins, increasing the thermal properties.