Effect of a metallic filler on the composition of the low-molecular products of the radiolysis of polyethylene

Field mass spectrometry has been used to investigate the composition of the volatile products of radiolysis of pure polyethylene and of polyethylene mixed with disperse carbonyl iron or with steel powder. With carbonyl iron as filler there was a marked increase in the intensity of the line in the mass spectrum due to the ions of methanol (32 amu), which may be attributed to the oxidation of the end groups of the polymer chains by oxygen chemisorbed on the surface of the metal under the influence of the ionizing radiation.