Abstract: | Phase equilibria between linear polyethylene and a number of organic diluents of varying type have been investigated. The diluents include aliphatic alcohols, alkyl phenols, aryl phenols, diphenyl derivatives, alkyl aryl ethers, esters, and ketones. It is found that n-octyl alcohol, n-decyl alcohol, n-lauryl alcohol, p-tert-amyl alcohol, p-octyl phenol, p-nonyl, phenol, diphenyl, diphenylmethane, diphenyl ether, benzyl phenyl ether, and anisole are Θ-solvents for linear polyethylene at temperatures between 120 and 200°C. Thermodynamic interactions are discussed in relation to the type of diluent. |