Abstract
Low density polyethylene films were g-irradiated in various oxidative environments: air and aqueous solutions containing hydrochloric acid and different chlorides (MnCl2, CuCl2, NiCl2, and CoCl2) in the concentration of 10 % (w/w). Radiochemical degradation of polyethylene was assessed by IR spectroscopy at various characteristic vibration regions: 1720 cm-1 (C=O band), 3440 cm-1 (OOH/OH band) and 1630 cm-1 (C=O in the vicinity to C=C). Low dose rate (0.4 kGy/h) was applied over the dose range 0-4.5 MGy at ambient temperature. The two main processes occurred during high energy exposure: degradation and crosslinking were pointed out. Keywords: polyethylene, degradation, aqueous solutions, IR spectroscopy