Ultrasonic oscillations effect on rheological and processing properties of metallocene‐catalyzed linear low density polyethylene

Abstract

AbstractThe effects of ultrasonic oscillations and die materials on die pressure, productivity of extrusion, melt viscosity of metallocene‐catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE), as well as their mechanism were studied in a special ultrasonic oscillations extrusion system developed in our lab. Die materials used in our experiment included steel, brass, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The experimental results showed that ultrasonic oscillations as well as die materials have great influence on the rheological and processing behavior of mLLDPE. Ultrasonic oscillations can greatly increase the productivity of mLLDPE melt extruded through different dies, and can decrease the die pressure and the melt viscosity of mLLDPE. Compared with steel or brass die, mLLDPE melt extruded through PTFE die is more sensitive to ultrasonic oscillations. A possible mechanism for the improved processability of mLLDPE is proposed in this article. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1873–1878, 2003