Gamma radiation effects on the rheological properties of high and low density polyethylenes

High energy radiation of polymeric materials is a topic of considerable interest from commercial and scientific points of view. Within an inert atmosphere, irradiation of polyethylene yields a crosslinking effect with a consequent improvement in its mechanical properties in comparison to the virgin materials. Additionally, if irradiated specimens are melted and recrystallized, the radiation-induced crosslinking hinders their crystalline growth altering dramatically their flow properties such as the elasticity. This work portrays the effects of the gamma radiation on the rheological properties of high and low density polyethylenes manufactured by PEMEX and analyzes the implications of theoretical results derived from the Acierno's model when it is implemented with the rheological properties of high energy irradiated polyethylenes. (author)