Separation and identification of stabilizers used in the manufacture of linear low-density polyethylene are necessary in order to correlate performance properties with polymer composition. This test method provides a means to determine BHT, BHEB, Isonox 129, erucamide slip, Irganox 1010, and Irganox 1076 levels in linear low-density polyethylene samples. This test method should be applicable for the determination of other antioxidants such as Ultranox 626, Ethanox 330, Santanox R, and Topanol CA, but the applicability of this test method has not been investigated for these antioxidants.

The additive extraction procedure is made effective by the insolubility of the polymer sample in solvents generally used for liquid chromatographic analysis.

Under optimum conditions, the lowest level of detection for a phenolic antioxidant is approximately 2 ppm.

Other methods that have been successfully used to remove additives from the plastics matrix include thin film, microwave, ultrasonic, and supercritical fluid extractions. Other methods have been successfully used to separate additive including SFC and GC.