Oxidation of polyethylene

摘要

Oxidized polyethylenes useful as water-emulsifiable waxes and as lubricants in the extrusion of polyvinyl chloride are prepared by oxidizing finely divided polyethylene of high density at elevated temperatures with an oxidation gas of air and/or oxygen, the oxidation gas supplied per hour containing not less the 100 mg of ozone per kilogram of polyethylene, by performing the oxidiation in a paddle dryer and passing the oxidation gas into the free gas space above the polyethylene, the temperature in the paddly dryer preferably being continuously adjusted to from 1 DEG to 2 DEG C. below the softening point of the polyethylene.