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The relationship between effective conductivity and cell structure of polyethylene/carbon black composites as well as between effective conductivity and spatial distribution of carbon black are discussed. Following Yoshida's model both structures can, in a way, be said to be intermediate between the well known Maxwell-Garnett (MG) and Bruggeman (BR) limiting structures. Using TEM photographs on composites with various carbon blacks we have observed that the larger is Garncarek's inhomogeneity measure H of two-dimensional (2D) representative distribution of the carbon black, the smaller is the effective conductivity of the composite.

Effect of electron-beam irradiation on structure of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene used in medical implants RAPID COMMUNICATION Summary-Effect of electron beam irradiation with a dose equivalent to that used in practice during radiation sterilization of endoprostheses (26 kGy) or twice higher (2 •26 kGy) on the change of UHMW-PE structure. UHMW-PE (trade name Chirulen 1120) is used for preparation of cups of hip endoprostheses. Structural changes of the polymer have been investigated using FT-IR method. Mainly the results of polymer oxidation (increase in the part of carbonyl groups of ketone, ester and perester types as well as of hydroxyl and vinyl groups) have been found. It was also found, using GPC method, that irradiation caused also partial degradation of macromolecules (reduction of molecular weight one order of magnitude) and crosslinking processes were favored by macroradicals formed (gel fraction part about 40 %, increase in melting temperature as well as in crystallinity degree) .

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Polyethylene grafted with itaconic acid was subjected to weathering under laboratory accelerated conditions. The course of the photo-oxidative degradation process of that material was studied by FTIR spectroscopy both through quantitative measurements of changes in absorbance values at selected wave numbers and through measurements of surface area values for absorption bands which were separated by means of deconvolution. The use of both those procedures of quantitative determinations resulted in a general conclusion that the oxidation process was initiated from the very first moment of irradiation, and it produced ketones, acids, esters (intramolecular and of acetate type), peracids, peresters, hydroperoxides, and alcohols. The molecular weight values and gel number values, which were established as well, pointed out that oxidation was accompanied by cracking of polymer macromolecules, and also by polymer crosslinking to a limited degree.

Effect of electron beam irradiation and plastic deformation on molar mass of medical grade ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene RAPID COMMUNICATION Summary-Separated and combined electron beam irradiation (as a sterilization procedure) and plastic deformation effects on the average molar mass of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) were studied. It was found, that both irradiation and deformation have a different impact on the polymer structure. With the growing irradiation dose the mass-average molar mass (M w) of the polymer soluble fraction reduces and the amount of insoluble fraction (gel) increases. On the other hand, the plastic deformation of UHMW-PE alone may be considered as not involving any destruction of polymer macromolecules. The combined effect of these factors leads to different results in comparison to their separate action and depends on the sequence of the destructive impacts on the polymer. However independently of the sequence of both external factors their synergetic effect is observed for the degradation of UHMW-PE.