Dynamic Mechanical Behavior of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Irradiated with Gamma Rays

We have investigated the dynamic mechanical behavior of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) irradiated with varying doses of gamma rays. A relaxation peak in the loss factor curve, which has not been reported previously in the literature, is observed at a temperature above the crystal melting temperature. The peak is unique to UHMWPE and appears to be related to the high degree of entanglement. Because the temperature and intensity of the peak are reduced by irradiation-induced chain scission and crosslinking, respectively, we believe that the peak is associated with disentanglement relaxation. The behavior of the storage modulus in the melt state agrees with the classical theory of rubber elasticity.