The effect of ultraviolet radiation on chemically crosslinked low‐density polyethylene

Tensile properties of UV-irradiated thermoplastic and crosslinked low-density polyethylene were studied as function of the irradiation time, degree of crosslinking, and the presence of a UV stabilizer. Well-crosslinked samples (about 70% gel) and UV-stabilized are shown to be of superior weathering resistance. Crosslinking by itself results in an insignificant improvement which is much less than the effect of UV stabilization of the noncrosslinked polymer. The combination of crosslinking/UV stabilization produces samples of significant resistance to UV irradiation.