The chemical structure and adhesiveness of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), functionalized through ultraviolet irradiation at environmental temperature of 35～70℃ in air, and the compatibilization of the ultraviolet irradiated HDPE in HDPE/polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) fiber blends were investigated by elementary analysis, XPS, GPC, gel measurement and mechanical properties test. The results show that during the ultraviolet irradiation, the oxygen-containing groups, such as C-O, C=O and C(=O) O, are introduced onto the molecular chains of HDPE, and their amount increaes with increasing environmental temperature. After the ultraviolet irradiation, the molecular weight of HDPE decreases and its distribution becomes wider, and the peel strength of the HDPE films increases. Furthermore, their variatio amplitude increases with environmental temperature. A gel appears in HDPE irradiated at environmental temperature of 70℃ for 24 h. The irradiated HDPE behaves as a compatibilizer in HDPE/PVA-fiber, improves the affinity between HDPE and PVA fiber. By adding 10% by weight of HDPE irradiated at environmental temperature of 70℃ for 24 h into HDPE/PVA-fiber(73/17) blends, the yield and notch Izod impact strength of HDPE/PVA-fiber blend (83/17) are incrfeased from 30.8 MPa and 110 J/m to 34.9 MPa and 142 J/m, respectively.

Key words: HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE, CHEMICAL MODIFICATION, MECHANICAL PROPETIES, BULKING AGENTS, CAKING, ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION, POLYVINYL ALCOHOL