Linear Low Density Polyethylene Thermal Fractionation by DSC Technique

Abstract

Crystallization of linear low density polyethylene was studied through DSC analyses. Melting peak resolution was determined in order to establish the effect of crystallization conditions on polymer thermal fractionation. The isothermal number, fractionation window, and annealing time were varied, and suitable crystallization conditions were evaluated based on the sharpness of the DSC endothermic curve. The results confirmed that the selection of the thermal fractionation conditions is very important to control the multiple melting peaks number. The polyethylene endothermic curve profile changed significantly according to the crystallization conditions.

Keywords:

• Crystallization
• DSC
• LLDPE
• Thermal fractionation

The authors thank the governmental agency CNPq, the Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), and Ipiranga Petroquímica S/A.

Notes

∗Fractionation windows = 10°C.