PEROXIDE-CATALYZED GRAFTING OF MALEIC-ANHYDRIDE ONTO MOLTEN POLYETHYLENE IN THE PRESENCE OF POLAR ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS

The crosslinking of LDPE resulting from reaction with dicumyl peroxide at 180 degree C is increased in the presence of maleic anhydride (MAH). The presence of electron-donating nitrogen-containing compounds (amides, lactams, disubstituted aromatic amines, and amine oxides), phosphorus-containing compounds (phosphites, phosphates, phosphonates, phosphoramides, and phosphine oxides) and sulfur-containing compounds (sulfoxides, aryl disulfides, and thiazyl disulfides) which inhibit the homopolymerization of MAH but not that of methyl methacrylate, prevents crosslinking and yields soluble PE containing MAH units.