Structures and impact strength variation of chemically crosslinked high-density polyethylene: effect of crosslinking density

and 360% respectively. With increase in crosslink agent, the flexural modulus, yield strength, crystallinity, mean lamellar thickness, crystal size and spherulitic size and the brittle-ductile transition temperature (BDTT) decrease, and the gel content, impact strength of the HDPE at low temperature, intensity of β transition increase significantly. In considering both the room temperature mechanical properties and low temperature impact strength, the optimized content of the crosslink agent is about 0.7%. Overall, crosslinking significantly improves the toughness and impact strength of HDPE and extends its application, especially at low temperature.