Effect of dopant and fast neutrons on the thermodynamic properties of low density polyethylene

The effect of borax dopant and fast neutrons on the thermodynamic properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE) was studied. The specific heat at constant pressure, C-p, was measured at a temperature range from (-10 to 130 degrees C) for different borax content and neutron integrated fluences. The results revealed a maximum glass transition, T-g, at 4% borax content while the, Delta H, enthalpy change showed a minimum for the same concentration The glass transition for transition for borated polyethylene (8%) showed a continuous decrease with neutron integrated fluences up to 8.4 x 10(9)n cm(-2), where it starts to increase once more. This behavior in good agreement to our previous results obtained from electrical and mechanical measurements.