Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.52, No.7, 905-915, 1994
Influence of the Controlled Rheology Process (VIS-Breaking) on Additive Effectiveness in Polypropylene
Controlled rheology or VIS-breaking is the process whereby polypropylene, peroxide, and other additives such as stabilizers are extruded to simultaneously shorten polymer chain length by chemical action of the peroxide and to blend in additives. Although the influence of additives on the VIS-breaking process has been studied, little attention has been paid to the role of additives present during VIS-breaking on the final resin properties. The effectiveness of a light mineral oil used as a costabilizer for radiation resistance and Irgafos 168 as a melt stabilizer was determined in polypropylene resins prepared with different peroxide levels. It was found that exposure of Irgafos 168 to peroxide during the VIS-breaking process did not hinder the action of Irgafos 168 as a melt stabilizer during injection molding. At low levels of peroxide, the presence of oil led to an improvement of radiation resistance compared to resins that contained no oil. However, at higher peroxide levels, oil-containing resins showed less resistance to radiation than did those without oil. These results were interpreted as an interaction of peroxide with the function of oil in the final resins.