Peroxide crosslinking of LLDPE during reactive extrusion

Abstract An experimental study of the free‐radical‐induced crosslinking of linear‐low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) in the melt phase has been carried out. Experiments have been performed both in a single‐screw plasticating extruder and in an extrusion plastometer using a peroxide as the free‐radical source. Concentration of the peroxide was in the range of 0.005–0.08 wt % for rheological investigation and was extended to 5 wt % for gel content examination. Results in the form of melt flow index (MFI) values, viscosity curves, extrudate swell, and gel content of the produced resins are presented here.