Low viscous hydrophilic processing additives for extrusion of polyethylene at reduced temperatures

Industry is using fluorinated polymer processing additives (PPA) to delay the onset of sharkskin to higher rates of extrusion of PE resins. Yet it is necessary to keep elevated temperatures during extrusion to reduce apparent melt viscosity. We propose to use low viscous PPA made from reacting mixtures of polyethylene glycol with organic polyacids, phosphoric acid, and polyesters of oxiacids of Phosphorus. Surprisingly, extrusion pressures and apparent viscosity with the novel PPA at reduced temperatures are less, than at elevated temperatures. In total, extrusion pressures can be reduced 2–5 times for concentrations of PPA from 0.1 to 0.5 wt%, while sharkskin melt fracture can be eliminated for concentrations of PPA above 0.02 wt%. Extrusion with the novel PPA at reduced temperatures potentially increases productivity, reduces production cost, and allows processing of PE resins ofhigher MW and highly filled polymer composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers