Plasticiser effect of oleic acid polyester on polyethylene and polypropylene

The potential application of a polymeric fatty acid derivative as a plasticiser for polyethylene and polypropylene was evaluated through the study of torque during melt processing, apparent crystallinity, crystalline plane orientation, plane strain compression and thermogravimetric analysis of polymer blends. The polymeric derivative is a polyester produced from epoxidised oleic acid, cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride and triethylamine as initiator. The results suggested that the oleic acid polymer had a plasticising effect in blends with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Reduction of processing torque, no loss of crystallinity, maintenance of mechanical properties and an improvement in thermal stability were observed for PP. For PE, a slight reduction of processing torque, crystallinity and mechanical resistance were observed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.