MOLECULAR MODIFICATIONS AND CRYSTALLIZATION RELATIONSHIPS FOR GAMMA-IRRADIATED LLDPE PA6 BLENDS/

The effects of gamma-radiation under vacuum on linear low density poly ethylene/polymide-6 blends are studied and the results are compared wi th the effects of the same ageing treatment on the pure polymers. In p articular, solubility and melt viscosity tests were performed and data are related to the crystallization behaviour of this system. The resu lts indicate that molecular modifications of the blends can be interpr eted by considering both the effect of gamma radiation on the two poly mers and the presence of some interactions between the components due to radiation processing and mixing. For the thermal behaviour, the eff ects of irradiation on the maximum temperature rate and enthalpy of cr ystallization are observed and, in general, these are more marked for the minor component at high dose.