Trigonox® 311
A new peroxide that can take the heat
Until recently, processing temperatures used for the production of crosslinked high density polyethylene (HDPE) were always limited by the safe processing temperatures of the peroxides used. To prevent premature decomposition of the peroxides, and subsequent crosslinking of the polyethylene in the extruder - a phenomenon known as 'scorch' - processing temperatures had to be limited to 160-170°C. In many cases, the output of the process was seriously reduced, due to the high viscosity of polyethylene at these relatively low temperatures.
Trigonox 311, developed by AkzoNobel, is a new, high temperature peroxide which extends the commercial range of crosslinking peroxides by 20-30°C.
The use of Trigonox 311 for crosslinking at higher temperatures, results in a less viscous, more homogeneous melt, which not only improves extruder output but also has a positive effect on final properties of the cured article.
Trigonox 311 is particularly suitable for polyethylene applications where polymer processing at high temperatures (up to 180-190°C) is required. For example the crosslinking of PEX-a pipes or rotomolding applications, and polymer modification processes.
Trigonox 311 opens the way to several new applications, which were not possible with the current range of organic peroxides, such as thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV's) and engineering plastics.
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