Laser-Induced Crosslinking of Ultra-Low- and High-Density Polyethylene

Abstract

The use of laser radiation to initiate the crosslinking process in ultra low-density polyethylene (ULDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was evaluated. The process was found to be most effective for pulsed laser irradiation when the polymer was traced with a photoinitiator: 4-chlorobenzophenone (CBP). The gel content measurements proved that crosslinking took place in all the irradiated samples. The degree of crosslinking was measured for different values of irradiation energy, temperature, photoinitiator concentration and the nature and type of crosslinking agents. The effects of all these parameters on the degree of crosslinking and the consequent effects on mechanical properties of the polymers were analyzed. Also found in the present study is the fact that a better efficiency of crosslinking was achieved at longer laser irradiation wavelength. The ultimate tensile stress and elongation at fracture were measured for all cross-linked samples and compared with those of the controlled ones.