Cross-linking of LDPE/wax blends in the presence of dicumyl peroxide

Thermal properties of cross-linked and uncross-linked LDPE/wax blends were investigated. The blends were prepared by thoroughly mixing the powdery ingredients, followed by pressing at 180 degreesC for ten minutes. The extent of cross-linking was determined by means of gravimetric analysis of the gel content of the samples. The thermal properties were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The analyses of cross-link density of the samples indicated that increased amounts of peroxide gives rise to more efficient cross-linking, but only the PE phase in the blends is cross-linked. The DSC results indicated that LDPE and wax are probably miscible in the crystalline phase at low wax concentrations, but at higher wax concentrations the wax is only partially miscible in the crystalline phase.