Verfahren zur Herstellung von oxydiertem Polyaethylen

摘要

Oxidized polyethylene is made by heating linear high-density polyethylene having a crystalline melting point in the range 127-37 DEG C. and a density in the range 0.935-70 g./c.c. to a temperature below and within 1-5 DEG C. of its softening point in the presence of a free oxygen-containing gas until the softening point of the polyethylene has fallen almost to the initial temperature, whereupon the temperature is progressively decreased at a rate of 1-1.5 DEG C. per 2-2.5 hours until a temperature of 120-5 DEG C. is reached and is then maintained at this level for a time sufficient to provide 0.2-2.0 milliequivalents (-COOH)/gm. of final polymer. An oxidation promoter is preferably present.