Sustainable catalysts for filled and unfilled silane cross-linked polymer systems
Date
Authors
Type
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Programme
Model builders
Journal Title
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Publisher
Abstract
Since the polymer used to make up cables is combustible and has the potential to ignite a fire,
fire safety concerns about cables receive a lot of attention. This concern prompts an urgent need
to address safety issues and drives the global development of flame retardant polymeric
systems. Dioctyltin dilaurate (DOTL) is an organotin catalyst that is frequently used in silane
cross-linking for flame retardant polymeric systems. However, DOTL is toxic and has a
reprotoxic impact on humans. This study focuses on investigating robust and sustainable
catalysts which can be utilized for various silane cross-linked polymeric systems to replace
DOTL.
Both filled and unfilled silane cross-linked polymer systems were investigated with various
types of catalysts, including four polymer systems (Polymer A, B, C, and D) and four catalysts
(Catalyst 1, 2, 3, and DOTL as reference). Tapes made with various amounts of polymer base
resin and catalyst masterbatch were crosslinked in ambient conditions and hot water baths. Two
analytical techniques, XRF and FTIR, were used for analyzing catalyst masterbatches. Visual
observation was utilized to evaluate tape surface quality. The crosslinking of different tapes
was measured by hot set testing method.
The results showed that when catalyst 3 is extruded with the unfilled polymer A, highly filled
polymer B and C, tapes showcased very good surface qualities and good cross-linking in
ambient conditions. The catalyst also displayed good cross-linking in hot water bath for
polymer A and C. Catalyst 1 and 2 cross-linked unfilled and some filled polymer systems in
hot water bath and ambient conditions but the tapes had bad surface qualities.
Description
Keywords
DOTL, Flame Retardant, Silane Cross-linking, XLPE, Sustainable Catalyst, Hot Set testing, Cables, organotin catalyst