The effect of electron irradiation on high-density polyethylene: Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray scattering studies

Electron irradiation effects in HDPE have been studied using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. In the four-component analysis of a spectrum, two long-lived states are ascribed to ortho-positronium (o-Ps) annihilation in the crystalline phase and in the amorphous phase. The study of the o-Ps parameters highlights the different behaviour of the two phases. From the o-Ps lifetime in the crystalline phase, it is shown that the effect of irradiation is larger at 250 kGy. Thermal analysis (DSC) reveals two different melting temperatures and also an increase in the fusion enthalpy, at 250 kGy. This phenomenon induced by an electron beam is erased by thermal treatment: fusion and re-crystallisation. However, before and after thermal treatment no changes are observed in the crystallite size and in the crystalline rate using wide-angle X-ray scattering.