Impact of organic peroxide on a moderate molecular weight homo-polypropylene vis breaking, and mechanism of interaction

Abstract

In this study, we show that organic peroxide is a useful tool for breaking the viscosity or chain of polypropylene during melt processing to provide a regulated rheology product. Reactive extrusion is used to crosslink peroxide and combine it with polypropylene (PP). To achieve end-use applications with performance targets, stabilizers are required to preserve the polymer’s initial strength, flexibility, and toughness properties. Other additives are added to PP in addition to stabilization in order to enhance or change certain of its properties. With the addition of varying levels of organic peroxide [2,5-Dimethyl-2,5-di (tert-butyl peroxy) hexane]. The use of peroxide in the manufacturing process of polypropylene is a method of breaking in the polymer chains, which can affect its properties, including its MFI. It is possible that increasing the amount of peroxide used leads to a higher degree of branching or cross-linking, which in turn leads to a higher MFI value. However, it is important to note that the relationship between the amount of peroxide used and the resulting MFI values may not be linear and may depend on other factors as well. In addition to the MFI, other properties of the polypropylene were also measured, including shear and melt flow index, melting and crystallization temperatures, flexural and tensile moduli, and yield stress. These properties are important for understanding the mechanical and thermal behavior of the polymer and can be used to optimize its performance for specific applications.