Gas and gel permeation chromatographic investigation of polyethylene modification in model chemical reactions

The modification of polyethylene for application in the cable industry, consisting in cross-linking with dicumyl peroxide in the presence of vinyl tri(2-methoxyethoxy)silane and the reaction of the silane with aluminium hydroxide, were investigated by use of model reactions. The reaction components were analysed by high-performance gas and gel permeation chromatography. From the results it was assumed that radical polymerization of the silane occurs preferentially by addition of formed radicals to the vinyl groups and polycondensation by water evolved from aluminium hydroxide at higher temperatures.