The influence of wax content on the physical properties of low‐density polyethylene–wax blends

The influence of wax content on the thermal, mechanical and viscoelastic properties of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)–oxidized wax miscible blends have been investigated. It was found that small concentrations of wax improved physical properties such as thermal stability, elastic modulus and yield stress. At higher concentrations, however, due to crystal phase separation, wax deteriorates the thermal as well as the mechanical properties. It was also shown that a formerly established two‐process model for the stress relaxation in semicrystalline polymers could be used for the explanation of the viscoelastic behaviour of the blends. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry