Novel results and potential applications of bitumen used as an additive for polyethylene

Abstract

A metallocene catalysed linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) was mixed with very low amounts of bitumen (1-2%) as an additive. Bitumen interacts with mLLDPE giving rise to a dying effect, which turns the originally white mLLDPE extrudates into black. No slippage is observed during extrusion and sharkskin is postponed as bitumen is added. “Melt strength” values of the blends, determined in melt spinning experiments, are very similar to those of mLLDPE. Accordingly good performance is expected in film-blowing process. Tensile modulus values are higher than 109 Pa. Bitumen emerges as an alternative to carbon black powder currently used to obtain black polymer films.