Stabilisation of polymers by catalytic antioxidants

Abstract

Two types of catalytic antioxidant are now recognised. The first involves the catalytic destruction of hydroperoxides to non‐radical products and the second consists of “stable” redox couples with the ability to remove both alkyl (CB‐A) and alkylperoxyl (CB‐D) radicals in autoxidising systems. The conditions under which both types of antioxidant can operate effectively are reviewed and the limitations to their activity are outlined.