Influence of fillers on the deformation behaviour of crosslinked HDPE: Part II—Radiation crosslinking

Abstract

The deformation properties of HDPE have been investigated, and their changes with radiation modification and the introduction of fillers in high concentrations (up to 40 mass%). It has been shown that the dynamic modulus increases monotonously with increase in both dose and concentration of fillers, while the loss parameter decreases, as do the degrees of swelling at room temperature and at 125°C. The influence of fillers on the properties of the system has been attributed to changes in the structure before and independently of the irradiation, and to the effect on the distribution of crosslinks in the non-crystalline region, as well as to the formation of effective physical links which greatly affect the elastic behaviour of the polymer. A comparison has been made between radiation and chemical crosslinking and the role of the filler in the determination of the properties of the samples.