Chemiluminescence Properties of Gamma-Ray Irradiated LDPE

Radiation degradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) was evaluated by using chemiluminescence characteristics. After a irradiation with 60Co ¿-ray up to 500 kGy under nitrogen, oxygen, and air atmospheres at room temperature LDPEs were applied for the measured chemiluminescence. The results showed that the intensity of chemiluminescence was related to the radiation-induced oxidation and the integrated chemiluminescence response increased with an increasing radiation dose. These observations were further proved by FT-IR. Therefore, chemiluminescence emission measurement could be a useful tool for a characterization of the radiation-induced effects of LDPE.