In recent years, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) has gained popularity in the plastics world in home piping, insulation for electrical cables, heat-shrinkable tubes and even medical applications such as hip replacements. Cross-linking of polyethylene brings unique advantages for mechanical properties, such as increased temperature stability, and resistance to electrical discharge. Currently, the most common cross-linking processes in industry involve the use of high energy irradiation, peroxide induced radical reactions, or the use of silane moieties to ensure a fully cross-linked network. However, through the incorporation of a co-monomer that has thermal rearrangement properties, we have found a way to produce PEX by changing the final melt process temperature which does not involve expensive and dangerous post polymerization modification of polyethylene. Presentation of the cross-linking efficiency with varying amounts of co-monomer incorporation are monitored through the calculation of gel percent content to ensure a fully cross-linked network.

Cross-linking polyethylene by thermal rearrangement

251st National Meeting (2016)

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