Irradiation of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene

An ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene material covering a range of crystallinity from 42 to 79% increased in calorimetric crystallinity as a result of chain scission following ionizing irradiation. Carbonyl was formed by a diffusion-limited reaction of oxygen with long-lived free radicals. Trans-vinylene production was linear with radiation dose and was highest for the sample of highest crystallinity but was not sensitive to environment.