Long-term degradation of chemical structures and mechanical properties in polyethylene induced by ion-beam irradiation

The long-term oxidative degradation of chemical structures and the mechanical properties in different polyethylenes induced by ion-beam irradiation were investigated. They were measured along the ion trace when the samples were stored in the atmosphere for a very long time. The hydroperoxide group is very important in the degradation process. These degradation processes are attributed to the mobility of oxygen molecule due to the density and the crystallinity of polyethylene.