The influence of crystallinity on radiation stability of UHMWPE

Abstract The influence of ionizing radiation on ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was studied using EPR spectroscopy and GC. Two samples of various degree of crystallinity, 85% and 53%, were investigated upon exposure to electron beam. In this study it was found that radicals generated following irradiation decay much faster in amorphous than in crystalline phase. The primary product generated in both phases is second ordered alkyl radical. EPR spectra detected for the sample containing 85% crystalline regions revealed a quintet of hyperfine splitting about 2.28 mT and the signal was tentatively assigned to the product of β-fragmentation. The radiation yield of hydrogen for two studied samples of various crystallinity was similar.