Effects of electron beam preirradiation on the γ radiolysis of polyethylene

Abstract

AbstractThe γ radiolysis of polyethylene preirradiated with electron beams to 3 Mrad was carried out at 30–100°C in vacuo with a dose rate of 6.35 × 105 rad/hr. The hydrogen formation in the γ radiolysis was little affected by the preirradiation of electron beams, whereas the formation of trans‐vinylene unsaturation and gel was somewhat retarded. The rates of the formation of hydrogen and trans‐vinylene unsaturation were described by the zero‐order formation kinetics with respect to each concentration combined with the first‐order disappearance. The apparent rate constants and activation energies for the formation and disappearance of hydrogen and trans‐vinylene unsaturation were almost independent of the preirradiation. The gel fraction was analyzed by using the Charlesby–Pinner equation. The G values of crosslinking and main chain scission were increased by the preirradiation, whereas their activation energies remained unaltered. On the basis of these results the effects of preirradiation on the reactions induced by γ rays in polyethylene were discussed.