Morphology, mechanical properties and stress-relaxation of biaxially oriented polyethylene films irradiated with β-radiation

The present study describes an influence of beta-radiation on morphology, mechanical properties and stress-relaxation of biaxially oriented polyethylene films. The mechanical properties and stress-relaxation of irradiated crosslinked films were studied as a function of the irradiation dose applied. The relaxation time spectra of crosslinked films were observed to display additional relaxation times. Irradiation dose of 4 megarads (MR) was found to be optimal from the viewpoint of mechanical properties. The crystallization of crosslinked and noncrosslinked polyethylene Was compared. It was shown that irradiation affects the final crystallinity of polyethylene. Lower crystallinity was observed due to lower mobility of crosslinked molecules.