Some considerations on the oxidation of low density polyethylene thermally aged at the temperature under and above the melting point using electric characteristics

Electrical properties have been measured using TSC (thermally stimulated current) and tan delta in order to understand the oxidation of thermally stressed LDPE (low-density polyethylene) specimens which have been aged at temperatures below 100 degrees C and above 130 degrees C, the melting point. The authors have observed different aspects in the peaks of the TSC characteristics and of the tan delta measurements, depending on the aging temperature. The oxidation of thermally aged LDPE specimens seems to be related deeply to the aging temperature: below the melting point the amorphous regions are preferably oxidized, but above the melting point the crystalline regions as well as the amorphous regions are likely to be oxidized.<
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