CRYOGENIC DISINTEGRATION OF RADIATION-CROSS-LINKED POLYETHYLENE

The effect of absorbed dose of ionizing radiation on the size degradat ion ability of polyethylene under cryogenic conditions was studied. It was found that the particle size of a powder obtained by mechanical t reatment from polyethylene cooled in liquid nitrogen decreases with do se. The main reason for this decrease is enhancement of intermolecular interaction due to formation of a three-dimensional network in the po lymer. At a dose above 2.0-3.0 x 10(5) Gy, this tendency is less expre ssed because of the radiolysis of macromolecules.