Radiation chemistry of linear low‐density polyethylene. I. Gel formation and unsaturation effects

Quenched and annealed samples of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) were irradiated with 60Co γ rays in vacuo at room temperature. The data follow rather accurately Charlesby's equation s = k/r, where s is the soluble fraction, r the dose, and k a constant from which G(X), the G‐value for crosslinks, was calculated. Crosslinking in the LLDPE is about twice as extensive at equal doses as in LHDPE. Production of vinylene unsaturation was approximately the same in the two types of polyethylene.