Effects of phenolic antioxidants on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/decalin solution

The degradation of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) during its dissolution into decalin is discussed. The stabilization of the solution by three phenolic antioxidants, octadecyl beta-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (1076), tetrakis[methylene-beta-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane (1010), and 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane (CA), and an auxiliary antioxidant, dilaurylthiodipropionate (DLTP) is also discussed. Among the three phenolic antioxidants, 1076 had the greatest effect. The auxiliary antioxidant was effective in stabilizing the solution when combined with one of the three phenolic antioxidants. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.