| Abstract: | The effect of blending crosslinked linear low‐density polyethylene (cLLDPE) on the rheological properties and foam processability of linear low‐density polyethylene was studied. A small addition of cLLDPE, which had a low density of crosslink points, enhanced strain‐hardening behavior in the elongational viscosity to a great degree, although it had little effect on the steady‐state shear viscosity. The enhanced strain hardening reduced heterogeneous deformation during foaming. As a result, a foam with a uniform cell size distribution was obtained. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2159–2167, 2001 |
