Irradiation of polyethylene in the presence of antioxidants

• Published in: International journal of radiation applications and instrumentation. Part C, Radiation physics and chemistry Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 285 - 290
• Main Authors: Jaworska, E., Kałuska, I., Strzelczak-Burlińska, G., Michalik, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1991
• ISSN: 1359-0197; 1878-1020
• DOI: 10.1016/1359-0197(91)90143-P

The radiation induced reactions in LDPE in the presence of phenolic type antioxidants have been studied. It was shown that various antioxidants can influence the polyethylene network formation and the radical yield in different ways. The dependence of network structure on absorbed doses was determined by gel analysis, hot-set test and extraction of antioxidants for samples irradiated with accelerated electrons. It was found that the antioxidants eluated from polyethylene in higher percentage influence polymer crosslinking to a smaller degree. The ESR studies of γ-irradiated blends of polyethylene with antioxidant indicate the presence of alkyl and phenoxyl radicals. The role of antioxidant molecules on radiation induced reactions in polyethylene-antioxidant systems is considered. The correlation between the network structure and the type of additive in polyethylene is also discussed.