Thermomechanical properties of radiation-modified blends of polyethylene with liquid crystalline copolyester

The results of investigation of gamma irradiated blends of high-density polyethylene (PE) with thermotropic polymer liquid crystal (PLC) are presented. The PLC used was a copolyester of 40% poly(ethylene terephthalate) with 60% p-(hydroxy-benzoic acid). The PLC content in the blends was 0, 5, and 10 wt%. The constituents were blended with the use of a single screw extruder. The specimens were prepared by compression molding. The irradiation of the samples was performed by a Co 60 γ-radiation source in inert atmosphere (argon) up to absorbed relatively low doses (up to 200 kGy: 1 Mrad = 10 kGy). The morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties were investigated for irradiated and unirra…