Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A study of the oxidative degradation of polyolefins

  • Published:
Journal of environmental polymer degradation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The oxidative degradation of polyolefins in the presence of transition metal catalysts is well known in the patent and technical literature. It has been suggested that a properly designed oxidatively degradable polymer could be used in limited lifetime articles and also on those whose primary method of disposal is composting, wherein the thermal activity is used to accelerate the oxidation process. The results of a detailed study of transition metal reactivity in the presence of numerous oxidation promoting species in polyolefins are presented. The oxidative degradation of these polyolefins was demonstrated at moderate temperatures under air and in a simulated compost environment. Approaches to determining the ultimate fate of these materials are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. D. S. Brackman, U. S. Patent 3,840,512 (1974).

  2. J. E. Pottset al., U.S. Patents 3,219,566 (1965); 3,349,018 (1967); 3,867,324 (1975); 3,921,333 (1975); 3,935,141 (1976); 4,067,836 (1978); 4,372,311 (1983).

  3. L. J. Taylor and J. W. Tobias, U. S. Patents 3,797,690 (1974); 4,038,228 (1977); 4,101,720 (1978); 4,207,221 (1980); 4,224,416 (1980); 4,256,851 (1981).

  4. G. J. L. Griffin, U.S. Patents 4,016,117 (1977); 4,021,388 (1977); 4,218,350 (1980); 4,983,651 (1991).

  5. A. Chiquet, U.S. Patent 4,931,488 (1990).

  6. R. A. Gross, personal communication, University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

  7. L. Reich and S. S. Stivala,Elements of Polymer Degradation (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1971), p. 263.

    Google Scholar 

  8. F. Tüdós and M. Iring,Acta Polym. 39 19 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  9. H. Müller, inPlastics Additives, R. Gächter and H. Müller, eds. (Hanser, New York, 1987), p. 75.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Disposable Products Division, and Life Sciences Sector Research Laboratory, Building 201-2W-17, 3M Company, 55144, St. Paul, Minnesota

    Alan J. Sipinen & Denise R. Rutherford

Authors
  1. Alan J. Sipinen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Denise R. Rutherford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sipinen, A.J., Rutherford, D.R. A study of the oxidative degradation of polyolefins. J Environ Polym Degr 1, 193–202 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01458027

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01458027

Key words

Search

Navigation