The Influence of Metal Sludge on the Oxidative Destruction of Low-Density Polyethylene.

The work investigated the effect of three types of metal sludge as an oxo-decomposing additive to polyethylene. Mechanical characteristics were studied before and after complex climatic exposure in a three-factor climate chamber (heat, light, humidity). Using infrared spectroscopy, an accumulation of oxygen-containing groups in polyethylene with sludge was shown in comparison with pure polyethylene after climatic tests. The catalytic effect of two metal slurries on the oxidative destruction of polyethylene was shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]