Rheological behavior of controlled-rheology polypropylenes obtained by peroxide-promoted degradation during extrusion: Comparison between homopolymer and copolymer

In the present work, experimental studies of the free-radical-initiated molecular weight degradation of polypropylene in a modular self-wiping corotating twin-screw extruder are investigated. The control of the molecular weight distribution of polypropylene resins by peroxide degradation is widely used in the polymer industry. It allows one to adjust the viscosity of these resins to the level required for processing applications. The purpose of this work was to characterize the influence of peroxide degradation on the rheological behavior of a polypropylene homopolymer and a block polypropylene/polyethylene copolymer, which includes an addition of a low percentage of polyethylene (around 7%). The homopolymer exhibits a classical behavior: When the peroxide amount is increased, we observe a decrease in the viscosity corresponding to a decreasing molecular weight and a pronounced shift toward more Newtonian behavior. The rheological behavior of the copolymer is influenced by the presence of the polyethylene phase which greatly modifies the viscoelastic properties and increases the viscosity when the polypropylene matrix is highly degraded. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.