The influence of manufacture on post-irradiation thermally stimulated conductivity in polyethylene

It is pointed out that the significance of thermally stimulated conductivity in polyethylene following its exposure to directly or indirectly ionizing radiation is that it can be measured and related to the amount of energy absorbed by the polyethylene from the radiation. Measurement of the apparent increase in conductivity is straightforward. Following exposure to radiation, raising the temperature will produce an immediate increase in current flowing through a specimen and the current will shortly fall to the value it had before irradiation. In an attempt to investigate how the manufacturing process might influence the properties of a material, a selection of eight Sclair resins designed for rotomolding were obtained. Variations in crystallinity and the presence of additives, which are used to prevent oxidation and UV-induced deterioration, are assumed to be important factors in affecting the desired behavior.<>