Polyethylene swelling in organic solvents and its influence on mechanical properties

The results of kinetic investigations of the orthodichlorbenzene and orthoxylene sorption by the high density polyethylene specimens of different thickness for 35 days are presented. It is shown that the sorption of solvents results in swelling of the polymer and its plasticization, which is expressed in changes in its mechanical characteristics such as ultimate strength, deformation to failure, and Young's modulus.