Thermal stabilizing activity of polydisulfides in polyethylene studied by oxygen uptake and thermogravimetric analysis

A number of new polydisulfide (PDS) substances have been tested as stabilizers for polyethylene by oxygen uptake and thermogravimetric analysis. The dependence of the stabilizing effect on the PDS concentration is investigated and the optimal concentrations are found. The influence of molecular structure on the stabilization efficiency is shown and discussed. The synergetic action of -S-S- and -NH- groups in one molecule is observed and a mechanism explaining the high stabilization efficiency is proposed.