Effect of solvent on radiation grafting and crosslinking of polyethylene

In order to obtain more direct information about the influence of swelling agent on polyethylene crosslinking, the elastic modulus of the crosslinked polyethylene was investigated. Stress-strain curves of polyethylene samples irradiated in different environments were recorded in molten state at 165 °C. The results show that irradiation of swollen polyethylene produces fewer effective crosslinks than does irradiation of dry polymer.