Modification of surface and mechanical properties of polyethylene by photo-initiated reactions

Low density polyethylene thin films were crosslinked in the bulk and on the surface by means of photo-initiated reactions. The purpose of these experiments was to study if there is a direct relationship between the distribution of crosslinks in the depth of the films and the mechanical properties of the films themselves. By bulk treatment with a PI1 photoinitiator and a dimethacrylate, samples with enhanced Young's modulus values were obtained. The addition of an inorganic filler had no significant influence on the rate of the crosslinking reaction, but resulted in an enhancement of the oxygen barrier of the treated films. Samples with enhanced modulus and hydrophilicity were obtained by hot-surface treatment with a PI2 photoinititator and multifunctional allylic and acrylic monomers. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.