Abstract
The loss and recovery of the hydrophobic property of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) filled with calcium carbonate has been studied. The process of wettability of the surface and its dependence on the level of calcium carbonate filler was investigated by immersing in a saline water solution at a level of 1000 /spl mu/S/cm, temperatures from 25 to 98/spl deg/C and a duration of 50 hours. It was found that the contact angle decreased with increasing temperature and when filler was added to the formulation. The recovery of hydrophobicity depends on filler concentration and temperature. The XLPE maintained its hydrophobic property at 25/spl deg/C after exposure to air at 102/spl deg/C for 500 h.

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