Oxidation Behavior of High Strength Chain-Extended Polyethylene Fibers 1

Abstract

The resistance to oxidation of polyethylene fiber intended for engineering applications has been compared with that of conventional polyethylene films. The highly ordered fiber was appreciably more resistant to γ-initiated oxidation and somewhat more resistant to photo-oxidation. Oxidation products from the γ-initiated oxidation were quite highly ordered with respect to the fiber axis as shown by polarized infrared spectroscopy. Photo-oxidation products showed random orientation, possibly as a result of the more extensive chain scission that must accompany the photo-process. Despite the higher resistance of γ-radiation damage of the chain-extended fiber structure as compared to unoriented film, the irradiated fiber did show a slow post-irradiation oxidation.

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