A study of oxidation in water trees using IR-microspectroscopy in polyethylene laboratory models

A clear spectral difference between the water-treed region and the untreed region has been observed using FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) microspectroscopy by virtue of the pure LDPE (low-density polyethylene) laboratory model, based on the water needle method. The oxidation level of the water-treed region is found to be higher than that of the untreed region. The water-treed zone produced under N/sub 2/ atmosphere is more oxidized than that produced under O/sub 2/ atmosphere. There seems to be a growth temperature effect on the oxidation level of the water-treed region. The effect of the annealing atmosphere does not appear to predominate over the oxidation of the water tree.<
>