Reactive processing of polyethylenes on a single screw extruder

The modification of low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, and their blend by dicumyl peroxide at the time of the extrusion on a single screw extruder is reported. The study shows that the optimum conditions of modification can be determined on a torque rheometer and these can then be applied for actual extrusion. A low level of crosslinking can be introduced by reactive extrusion for improving the heat stability without adversely affecting the processing behavior. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2545–2549, 2001