Process for the production of polyethylene dispersible in water

Abstract

Abstract Polyethylene which is dispersible in water is prepared by dissolving the polymer in a solvent at a temperature above 65 DEG C., dispersing this solution in an organic liquid which is miscible with water and with the solvent, does not react with or dissolve polyethylene and has a boiling-point below 200 DEG C., and substantially separating the liquid phase from the dispersion either mechanically or by spraying to form a mist which is then dried. Suitable mixing liquids are monohydric alcohols and aliphatic, cyclic and heterocyclic compounds of the groups consisting of polyhydric alcohols, halogenated alcohols, aminated alcohols, ketones, ethers, amines, organic acids and esters, and heterocyclic compounds themselves. Mechanical separation may be effected by filtration, centrifuging or pressing. The residue may be dispersed directly in water with or without one of the above agents. To remove the solvent completely, this dispersing process may be repeated. Specified solvents are trichloroethylene and heptane. The spraying operation may be performed on the original dispersion or on an aqueous dispersion prepared from the mechanically separated polyethylene.

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