Radiation‐Induced degradation of polyethylene: Polymer structure and stability

The radiation‐stability of annealed and quenched polyethylene (PE) was estimated by gel, FTIR, and mechanical property (elongation at break) measurements. Although both types of PE showed an equal probability in gel and carbonyl formation, the resistance to γ‐ray irradiation as probed by elongation at break (%) was superior in quenched PE compared to annealed PE. This difference is discussed from the viewpoint of polymer structure, especially the number of the tie molecules, of annealed and quenched PE.