Irradiation of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene

Abstract

Abstract An ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene material covering a range of crystallinity from 42 to 79% increased in calorimetric crystallinity as a result of chain scission following ionizing irradiation. Carbonyl was formed by a diffusion‐limited reaction of oxygen with long‐lived free radicals. Trans ‐vinylene production was linear with radiation dose and was highest for the sample of highest crystallinity but was not sensitive to environment.