| abstract |
An antidegradant blend comprises a metal carboxylate, an inorganic phosphite, and a phenolic antioxidant. Typically, the metal carboxylate is a metal stearate, lactate or benzoate and is present in an amount of 1-50 wt.%. The inorganic phosphite may be an alkali metal hypophosphite or an alkaline earth metal hypophosphite, such as sodium hypophosphite and may be present in an amount of 1-50 wt.%. The phenolic antioxidant is preferably a partially or fully hindered phenolic antioxidant, such as tetrakismethylene (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate) methane, which may be present in an amount of 1-50 wt.%. The blend may further comprise an organic phosphite. Use of the antidegradant blend to stabilise a polymer, particularly a polyolefin, is disclosed. A polymeric composition comprising a polymer and the antidegradant blend is also claimed, wherein the antidegradant blend may be present in an amount of 0.01-5 wt.%. The polymer may be a polyolefin, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene. |