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Radiation is currently being exploited to modify polymers in order to improve properties for various applications. This study thoroughly examines the effects of high energy electron beam irradiation (10 MeV) on low density polyethylene (LDPE) material. LDPE was subjected to a broad range of doses ranging between 10 and 300 kGy at room temperature under different conditions. Extensive characterization techniques such as the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were conducted on the non-irradiated and irradiated samples. Our findings revealed significant changes in LDPE's chemical structure after irradiation under air atmosphere by the formation of carbonyl groups located at 1715 cm−1. proving its oxidation degradation. The determination of carbonyl index showed that the irradiation effect was more noticeable when higher levels of irradiation were applied. In addition, the evaluation of the mechanical properties of LDPE in terms of tensile strength and elongation at break showed that these properties were significantly affected independently of the irradiation conditions. Finally, this research sheds light on the complex interplay between irradiation conditions and LDPE's structural properties, offering valuable insights for applications in polymer materials and radiation-induced modifications.
