Irradiation of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene

Abstract
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.