Effects of crystallization temperature on crystallinity and melting behavior of photocross-linked polyethylene

Abstract

The effect of crystallization, temperature on the crystallinity, melting point, and heat of fusion of photocross-linked high-density (HOPE) and low-density (LDPE) polyethylenes (XLPE) have been studied by using wide-angle X-ray diffractomer (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and gel determinations. The WAXD measurements show that the crystallinity of polyethylene decreases with increasing irradiation time in the XLPE samples. However, comparing with photocross-Iinking the crystallization temperature has a crucial influence on the degree of crystallinity. The DSC data confirm that photocross-Iinking and different crystallization temperatures affect the regularity or size of crystals, which causes depression of the melting point ( Tin ) and decreases the heat of fusion. ©1997TAPJ.