Micromechanical properties of surface layer of HDPE modified by beta irradiation

Abstract

The experimental study deals with the effect of modification of the surface layer by irradiation cross-linking on the microchanical properties of the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tested using the instrumented nanohardness test. The surface layer of HDPE specimen made by injection technology was modified by irradiation cross-linking using beta irradiation, which significantly influences micromechanical properties of the surface layer. Compared to the heat and chemical-heat treatment of metal materials (e.g. hardening, nitridation, case hardening), cross-linking in polymers affects the surfaces in micro layers. These micromechanical changes of the surface layer are observed in the instrumented nanohardness test. The subject of this research is the influence of irradiation dosage on the changes of micromechanical properties of surface layer of HDPE.