Processability Characteristics of Polyethylene Modified with 3-(Tetrabromopentadecyl)-2,4,6-Tribromophenol as a Flame-Retardant Additive

Polyethylene (PE), a general-purpose thermoplastic, finds wide-ranging applications in many areas such as packaging films, electrical insulations, housewares, pipes and tubings, etc. [I]. For certain applications such as the insulation and sheathing of power cables used for off-shore mining, flame retardancy is an essential service requirement. Some of the other applications for flame-proofed polyolefins include components for TV sets and waste pipes [2]. Flame retardancy has long been achieved by the use of additives based on compounds of elements such as phosphorus, halogen, nitrogen, antimony, aluminum, etc. [3-5]. However, the use of such additives should not affect the processability of the formulations adversely. This can be ensured by studying the processability characteristics of the flame-retardant modified polymer on a rheometer under conditions of temperature and shear rate simulating those of the process to be followed. The Brabender Plasticorder has been shown to be ideal equipment in this respect.