Post-Molding Crosslinking of Polyethylene in Automotive Connection Systems

Twenty plies of low density polyethylene (LDPE) were stacked and irradiated with 200 kGy of 5 MeV electron beam. The plies were analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) for crosslink density using melting point depression and equilibrium storage modulus respectively.

Infra-red spectroscopic analysis was conducted to examine the samples for the presence of chemical modification. The thermal stability of the irradiated samples and an unexposed control was investigated using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA).

Results were utilized in assessing the viability of crosslinking products after the molding process to produce articles with improved resistance to temperature.