Photoradiation crosslinking of polyethylene

Abstract

Abstract Crosslinking of PE with the combined action of ionizing radiation and UV light was examined by EPR, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and determination of gel fractions. The effect of crosslinking of PE at 300°K increases 5-fold with the simultaneous action, and 1·3-fold, with the sequential action of ionizing radiation and exposure to UV light. The yield of hydrogen and rans -vinylene unsaturation increases at the same time. With the sequential action of γ-radiation and exposure to UV light at 77°K the gel fraction increases ≈ 2·5-fold, hydrogen, ≈ 14-fold and trans -vinylene double bonds, ≈ 23-fold. These products are formed during photolysis as a result of photoradical chain reactions, the continuation of which is the rupture of the CH bond of adjacent polymer macromolecules, a reaction photo-sensitized with alkyl radicals.