Reactive Processing of Thermoplastic Polymers: A Review of the Fundamental Aspects

Abstract

This work is dedicated to Dr. Alain Michel for his retirement and in memory of Prof. Morand Lambla. Dr. Michel and Prof. Lambla were the pioneers of the development of reactive processing in FranceThe review is devoted to the fundamental aspects of the reactive processing of thermoplastic polymers. First of all, some reactive processing examples, including polymer grafting (vinyl silane, maleic anhydride) and/or functionalization, bulk polymerization (urethane, lactams, acrylate, e-capolactone), polyester modification and new copolymers synthesis, are presented. From a fundamental point of view, the review covers the state of the art in the domains of rheology (specifically modelling of rheo-kinetics), diffusion and mixing in highly viscous reactive or non reactive media. Finally, 1, 2 and 3-D simulation of the reactive extrusion process in twin-screw extruder is reported at the end of the review.

New insight into the action of supercritical carbon dioxide for grafting of maleic anhydride onto isotactic polypropylene by reactive extrusion

“…In a separated work, Hoppe et al (2004) did not discover substantial reduction in the iPP degradation using scCO 2 . Most recently, Cassagnau et al (2007) made an interrogative comment about the role of the scCO 2 on the species diffusion and homogeneity of the reactive media.…”

Effect of nitroxyl-based radicals on the melt radical grafting of maleic anhydride onto polyethylene in presence of a peroxide

“…For example, the compatibility of polyolefins based polymer blends can be improved by the addition of suitable emulsifying agents at the interfaces. The grafting of maleic anhydride (MA) to the polyolefin backbone [1][2][3] opened the way to modified polyolefins acting as an efficient compatibilizer for a large number of blends [4][5][6]. Maleation of polyethylene (PE), as a polymer exhibiting a higher grafting efficiency towards reaction with MA comparing to the other polyolefins [7,8] can be conducted by many methods, including grafting with the aids of free-radical initiator in solution [9][10][11] or in the melt [12][13][14][15] and radiation grafting [16][17][18].…”

MMA bulk polymerization and its influence on in situ resin viscosity comparing several chemorheological models

“…Recent reviews have treated dynamic conversion in bulk radical polymerization, [1][2][3] and specific models have been developed for polypropylene, 4 polyphenylene oxide, 5 polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), [6][7][8] other acrylates, 9 polyamides, 10 epoxies, 11 norbornenes, 12,13 and low density polyethylene, 14,15 with the focus on plant efficiency and safety. 16,17 Similar rheological assessments during chemical reaction have also been performed with reactive extrusion.…”