Effect of p-toluensulfonic acid on oxidation of polyethylene and polyethylene-poly-p-methylstyrene blends

p-Toluensulfonic acid retards oxidation of polyethylene and, to a greater extent, of polyethylene-poly-p-methylstyrene blends. The real antioxidant is p-cresol, formed by p-toluensulfonic acid transformation in oxidizing polyethylene and, in blends, through peroxidation and subsequent acid-catalyzed decomposition of hydroperoxides of poly-p-methylstyrene.