Ionizing radiation effect on branched polyethylene of the Bralen type

Three types were studied of common branched polyethylene of Czechoslovak manufacture. They were irradiated with 0.15 MeV accelerated electrons. For all three types a significant increase was observed of biaxial impact toughness, and a dependence of the starting molecular weight on cross-linking efficiency. Tables are shown of gel contents in foils in dependence on the dose, of strength at breakage, average prolongation at breakage and of biaxial impact toughness. At doses exceeding 500 kGy the effects started to show of significant cross-linking and of degradation chain decomposition. Basic methods were tested of characterizing the degree of cross-linking of irradiated branched polyethylene. (M.D.). 1 fig., 4 tabs., 12 refs