Overview of Problem Solving Phenolic Antioxidants: Beyond the Core

摘要

Traditional base stabilization systems for polyolefins are typically based on a combination of a phenolic antioxidant, a phosphorus based melt processing stabilizer. The phenolic antioxidant provides melt processing stability and long term thermal stability as a hydrogen atom donor and oxygen centered free radical scavenger. The phosphorus based melt processing stabilizer functions as a hydroperoxide decomposer during the melt compounding step. These phenol/phosphite chemistries work together in a synergistic fashion to help maintain the original molecular architecture that was designed into the polymer. These system provide protection to the polymer as it moves through its life cycle, both above the melting point of the polymer (for melt processing stability) as well as in the finished article in its end use application (for long term thermal stability). Over the last several decades quite a number of phenol based antioxidant products have been developed and commercialized; some of which have grown to be recognized as flagship products, sold in thousands of metric tons. However, in addition to the large volume products, a variety of specialty phenolic antioxidants have been developed to be used in specific industry applications, solving interesting problems that the traditional core products may not be able to address. We will give an overview of the performance of these specialty antioxidants in comparison to traditional flagship products, and examine how they could be used in new and challenging opportunities for large volume as well as niche polyolefin applications and markets. What is most important, is not just access to the products, but the knowledge and experience for how to build systems and solutions.