Long chain branched polydimethylsiloxane-g-polyethylene (PDMS-g-PE) copolymers were synthesized by hydrosilylation reaction between polymethylhydrosiloxane and vinyl terminated PE macromonomer. The structure and properties were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)

nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR)

high temperature gel permeation chromatography (HT-GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of the hydrogen content of polymethylhydrosiloxane on the copolymer structure and properties was investigated. It was found that the molecular weight of PDMS-g-PE increased with the hydrogen content of polymethylhydrosiloxane since more PE macromonomers were grafted onto the polydimethylsiloxane main chains. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of PDMS-g-PE was extremely low

indicating the excellent molecular chain flexibility. PDMS-g-PE with more PE branched chains showed higher melting temperature (Tm) and higher melting enthalpy (ΔHm). PDMS-g-PE was used as flow modifier for HDPE. When 2% PDMS-g-PE was added to HDPE

the melting flow rate (MFR) increased by 21%

the elongation at break improved significantly and the impact strength improved a little

while the tensile strength and elastic modulus decreased slightly.