Radiation chemical transformations in polyethylene containing crystallites with straightened chains

Studied are accumulation and decomposition peculiarities of double bonds of different types at irradiation of polyethylene, having crystallites with straight chains (PE with c.s.c.) and their subsequent annealing to clarify the effect of high crystallinity of the polymer (approximately 98%) upon the processes. Irradiation is carried out Using fast electrons at 15-20 and 80-90 K. At the same temperatures the sample IR spectra are taken. Trans-vinylene double bonds formed in the irradiation process are traps for positive charges, at that, the capture of ''holes'' by them takes place during annealing of the samples irradiated at 15 K approximately to 50 K. High crystallinity of PE with c.s.c favours stabilization of vinylene cations even during its irradiation at 80 K up to comparatively small doses (approximately 20 Mrad), though in a less concentration than in the result of irradiation at 15 K. The irradiation of PE at 80 K up to doses higher than 10 Mrad results in the accumulation of vinyl bonds. The annealing of the samples irradiated up to 180 K results in the decomposition of unstable particles and in appearance of additional number of vinyl groups