Quantitative Analysis of Additives in Low-Density Polyethylene Using Infrared Spectroscopy and Multivariate Calibration

Multivariate calibration methods have been used to establish a new method for measurements of three selected additives in low-density polyethylene. The determination of the concentration of silica, erucamide, and butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) is based on infrared (IR) spectroscopy and a calibration model. The concentrations are between 20 and 1100 wt/ppm. Compared to traditional chemical analyses, the new method is both time and cost effective and is more precise. The method has potential for quality control of polyethylene.