Radiation effects on HDPE/EVA blends

Abstract In this article, we discuss the radiation effects of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer blends. In comparison with the low‐density polyethylene/EVA blends, the EVA content in the HDPE/EVA blends had a lower enhancement effect on radiation crosslinking by γ‐ray irradiation in air. The phenomenon is discussed with the compatibility, morphology, and thermal properties of HDPE/EVA blends. The HDPE/EVA blends were partly compatible in the amorphous region, and radiation crosslinking of the HDPE/EVA blend was less significant, although increasing the amorphous region's content of the HDPE/EVA blends and the vinyl acetate content of EVA were beneficial to radiation crosslinking. The good compatibility was a prerequisite for the enhancement effect of EVA on the radiation crosslinking of the polyethylene/EVA copolymer. The radiation crosslinking and the degradation mechanism of HDPE/EVA blends were examined quantitatively by a novel method, the step analysis process of irradiated HDPE/EVA blends with a thermal gravimetric analysis technique. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 553–558, 2002