The physical and chemical effects of ionizing radiation on polyethylene containing a phenolic scavenger and/or other additives

Abstract

This paper describes the effect of an antioxidant, a monomer and fillers (silica or carbon black), alone or in certain combinations with each other, on the mechanical and chemical response of a low density polyethylene (and, more briefly, that of other polyethylenes), to exposure to ionizing radiation. It is shown that, if chain scission is a significant factor in the radiolysis of a polymer, then the inter-relations between sol fraction, elastic modulus and ultimate elongation (both at 160°C) should change depending on whether an additive inhibits or enhances crosslinking. It was found that such additives do not significantly or consistently alter the inter-relations between these properties in polyethylene, indicating that chain scission is not an important feature of the radiolysis of this polymer.