XLPE: Crosslinking Techniques and Recycling Process

Although this chapter is aimed at different crosslinking methods, namely: silane, radiation, peroxide and methods have been presented briefly for a better understanding of the merits of perspectives of the more recent methods. Peroxides were used to provide primary radicals upon thermal decomposition at elevated temperatures for the generation of polymer backbone radicals. Silane crosslinking techniques like, Monosil process and Sioplas process have been discussed. Radiation crosslinking of polyethylene with X-rays, γ-rays or an electron beam produced H2 and low molecular weight hydrocarbons as by-products. The alternative concepts for the crosslinking of polyethylene, suitability of click chemistry epoxy ring-opening reactions for curing of an ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer without the emission of volatile by-products has been explored. Recycling of crosslinked polyethylene by different methods such as introducing vitrimers, ϒ radiation, ultrasonic decross-linking, supercritical decross-linking extrusion process, thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) and particulate infusion has been explored.