Acid scavengers for polyolefins

Abstract

The transformation of a polyolefin material on its way from the reactor fluff to the finished article usually comprises several steps including processing operations at elevated temperatures. During these steps the polymer material suffers from various degradation processes caused by the combined influence of heat, shear and oxygen, which can significantly alter the processing characteristics of the polymer melt and/or the mechanical and aesthetic properties of the final article. The negative effects of these degradation processes can be restrained by the use of suitable stabilizers, which are usually employed together with co-additives as (for example) acid scavengers. All the additives and co-additives used for the stabilization of a given polymer grade constitute an ‘additive system’ or ‘additive package’.