In the 1930s ICI established a
series of research topics which included the
study of high temperatures and high pressures on
some organic compounds. It was hoped that new
reactions and useful products would be found for
commercial benefit.
In March 1933 Reginald Gibson and Eric Fawcett
carried out an experiment to react ethylene with
benzaldehyde in basic equipment using extreme
pressures up to 2000 atmospheres at 170
centigrade. A small amount of white, waxy solid
was found in the reaction vessel which Fawcett
identified as a polymer of ethylene. This could
be melted and drawn into threads. The work was
strongly pursued but awaited the installation of
much improved safer equipment and premises for
such hazardous work where reproducibility of
results would be essential for progress.
The situation improved greatly in 1935 when
Michael Perrin determined reproducible conditions
and produced 8g of polyethylene with melting
point 115oc. This low density polyethylene
product was found to have interesting moulding
and electrical properties and was patented in
1936 by ICI (BP 471,590 dated 6th September 1937). |
