Effect of branch frequency on dynamic fatigue behavior of slowly notched polyethylene polymers

Samples with the same weight average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution but different branch frequency were utilized to study the effects of branch frequency and thermal history on tie molecule density and their subsequent influence on the slow crack growth of short chain branched polyethylenes. The dynamic fatigue properties are improved significantly with increasing branch frequency and with samples crystalloid at fast cooling rate. However, at temperatures ranging from -20 to 80 °C. the amount of the failure cycle (Nf) improved due to the slight increase in branch frequency is less than those of samples prepared by crystallization at fast cooling rate. Additionally, it is interesting to note that the drawn fibers observed on the fracture surfaces were larger and longer for samples associated with longer Nf. In fact, it is interesting to note that the average number of tie molecules formed per chain (T(M)) of samples associated with longer Nt is also larger. This increasing in T(M) is suggested to be responsible for the improved fatigue properties of samples associated with larger branch frequency and crystallized at fast cooling rate.