Electric volume charging during radiation oxidation of polyethylene

The acoustic probe method was used for the study of the electric space charge dynamics in polyethylene irradiated by electrons. The samples investigated contained diffusion-introduced oxygen in volume. The results obtained point to the existence of a clear relation between the spatial distribution of the charge and the material oxidation degree. The major practical conclusion of the present study is the possibility of acting upon the process of volume charge formation under irradiation by changing the surrounding medium. In addition, direct control of the space charge distribution during irradiation may also serve as control of the radiation-chemical processes