THz- and mid IR Fourier Transform Spectroscopy on Physical Aged Polyethylene

THz and mid IR spectroscopy of high-molecular PE (HMW) and ultra high-molecular PE (UHMW) reveals modifications of the molecular structure. Characteristic absorption bands are changed if the two materials are exposed by γ_Co
⁶⁰
radiation up to 600 kGy and subsequently stored at an annealing temperature of 398 K until for 729 days. UHMW-PE and HMW-PE behave differently during the ageing process because of their molecular weight and inherent structure distinctions. The spectroscopic data offer characteristic absorption bands, which have been used to describe the complete ageing process in more detail. For instance, the integral absorption in the B
_1u
THz-region can be used to describe quantitatively the reduction of crystallinity. The formation of trans vinylene unsaturation and the decay of vinyl during ageing can be observed in detail in the mid IR range.