Changes in mechanical properties due to gamma irradiation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)

Abstract

-This paper presents an experimental analysis of the effect of dose and dose rate parameters during gamma irradiation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) samples. Considerations concerning the influence of these parameters on HDPE mechanical strength properties as a result of the predominance of oxidative degradation or of cross-linking are presented. The experimental results show an improvement of HDPE mechanical strength as dose increases, indicating the predominance of cross-linking over oxidative degradation and that lower doses are necessary to obtain a similar change in resistance parameters when radiation is applied at lower dose rates, showing that gamma radiation affects the HDPE in a more efficient way at lower dose rates.

Study of the nanostructure of γ‐irradiated high‐density polyethylene/carbon black composite and its durability as geomembrane

“…The complexity of the phenomena resulting from HDPE irradiation doses of (10‐200 kGy), and evaluated the effect at the molecular level during the storage of irradiated UHDPE in the air for long periods were discussed by Premnath et al The formation of cross‐linking exceeded the effect of oxidative degradation and the degree of cross‐linking expanded with the expansion in the consumed dose. During the after‐irradiation stockpiling time (up to 29 m), a noteworthy increment in the oxidation rate and the development of small chains were watched . While Mekellop mentions maximum oxidation at a depth of 0.2 to 2 mm.…”

Degradation of radiation grafted hydroxide anion exchange membrane immersed in neutral pH: removal of vinylbenzyl trimethylammonium hydroxide due to oxidation

“…60,61 High dose rate treatment increases the degree of crosslinking of the base polymer, which provides structural strength and stability to the AEM. 62,63 When polymers are exposed to ionising radiation, even at low doses, they oen undergo structural changes accompanied by molecular cross-linking, graing and chain-scission reaction. It should however be mentioned that the highest total radiation dose (70 kGy for ETFE and 20 kGy for LDPE) used to fabricate the AEMs is still relatively low to cause substantial damage to the base polymer structure [64][65][66] and was conrmed previously by FTIR.…”

Comparative study of gamma-irradiated PP and PE polyolefins part 1: Identification and quantification of radicals using electron paramagnetic resonance

“…Indeed, such highly energetic irradiations yield bond cleavages and free radicals allowing chemical rearrangements or oxidation in the presence of air, crosslinking and further chain scission reactions in the g-irradiated material. These modifications are closely linked with the g-irradiation conditions such as the dose rate, the integral dose delivered, the nature of the atmosphere or the temperature [14,13,8,31,38].…”