Quick Search
Description
Perkadox® GB-50X is a commercial-grade organic peroxide initiator manufactured for industrial polymerization and crosslinking applications. It is primarily composed of dibenzoyl peroxide (benzoyl peroxide) formulated with inert carriers to improve handling safety, storage stability, and dosing accuracy. The product is widely utilized in the plastics, rubber, composites, adhesives, thermosetting resins, and polymer processing industries where controlled free-radical generation is required.
Perkadox® GB-50X functions as an efficient free-radical initiator by decomposing under elevated temperatures to generate benzoyloxy radicals. These highly reactive radicals initiate polymerization reactions involving vinyl monomers or induce crosslinking within polymer matrices. Due to its controlled decomposition characteristics and consistent activity, the product is commonly employed in manufacturing polyethylene foams, crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE), cable insulation materials, elastomers, acrylic polymers, and thermosetting composite materials.
Unlike pure benzoyl peroxide, Perkadox® GB-50X is supplied as a formulated product containing approximately 50% active peroxide, significantly reducing the risks associated with handling concentrated organic peroxides. This formulation improves process safety while maintaining excellent initiation efficiency.
CAS Number
Since Perkadox® GB-50X is a commercial formulation, no single CAS number exists for the entire product.
Active ingredient (Dibenzoyl Peroxide):
CAS Number: 94-36-0
Synonyms
Commercial Names
Chemical Synonyms (Active Ingredient)
Physical Properties
Perkadox® GB-50X is generally supplied as a white granular or free-flowing powder depending on the specific commercial grade. The product has been engineered to provide improved handling characteristics compared with pure benzoyl peroxide while maintaining excellent dispersion within polymer formulations.
Typical characteristics include:
The carrier materials incorporated into the formulation significantly reduce dust formation and improve dosing consistency during industrial processing.
Chemical Properties
Perkadox® GB-50X is classified as an organic peroxide capable of generating highly reactive free radicals upon thermal decomposition.
The decomposition reaction proceeds through cleavage of the peroxide (-O-O-) bond:
The decomposition rate increases exponentially with temperature. Therefore, careful temperature control is essential during storage, transportation, and industrial processing.
The compound exhibits:
Manufacturing Process
The active ingredient, dibenzoyl peroxide, is synthesized through the reaction of benzoyl chloride with hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions.
Following synthesis, the peroxide is carefully washed, purified, stabilized, and blended with inert carrier materials to produce Perkadox® GB-50X. The manufacturing process is designed to minimize mechanical shock, contamination, and uncontrolled decomposition.
Typical production stages include:
Because organic peroxides possess inherent thermal hazards, manufacturing facilities employ rigorous temperature monitoring and explosion protection systems.
Mechanism of Action
Upon heating to its activation temperature, Perkadox® GB-50X decomposes to generate free radicals.
These radicals attack carbon-carbon double bonds present in unsaturated monomers, initiating chain-growth polymerization. During crosslinking reactions, radicals abstract hydrogen atoms from polymer chains, generating reactive polymer radicals that combine to form covalent crosslinks.
The mechanism can be summarized as follows:
This controlled radical generation enables manufacturers to tailor polymer properties by adjusting curing temperature, peroxide concentration, and reaction time.
Applications
Perkadox® GB-50X is extensively utilized in numerous industrial sectors.
Polymer Manufacturing
Rubber Industry
Electrical Industry
Composite Materials
Adhesives and Sealants
Advantages
Perkadox® GB-50X provides numerous industrial benefits.
