GB739709A - Improvements in or relating to treatment of polymeric substances - Google Patents

Abstract

Substances of high molecular weight which can be cold drawn, having a structure of chains consisting largely or wholly of carbon atoms, a substantial proportion of which have one or two hydrogen atoms attached thereto, e.g. polyethylene and nylon, are cold drawn to orientate at least a substantial proportion of the molecules and subjected to ionizing raditions to set the orientation wholly or in part. Radiation from high energy sources, e.g. high energy neutrons, protons, electrons or helium ions, gamma rays, X-rays or thermal neutrons may be employed. The substance, preferably one having an average of at least 1.5 hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon atoms of the chain, is preferably treated in a thermal nuclear reactor, with doses of 0.1 to 30, preferably 0.1 to 10 units, where a unit is 1017 thermal neutrons per square centimetre, or 50 X 106 roentgen. Specification 732,047 is referred to.