influence of heat treatment on the mechanical, thermal and thermophysical properties of low-density polyethylene

This study demonstrates that quenching and annealing significantly influence the mechanical and thermophysical behavior of low density polyethylene (ldpe). rapid quenching at temperature of –25 °c enhances ductility by increasing elongation at break, despite reducing thermophysical properties, likely due to microstructural refinement. in contrast, post-quenching annealing especially at 100 °c improves thermal conductivity and crystallinity but reduces ductility. the results underscore a tunable balance between thermal and mechanical performance, governed by the interplay of beta (β-) and alpha (α-) relaxation modes during heat treatment. post-quenching annealing of low density polyethylene ldpe, particularly at 100 °c, significantly enhanced thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and crystallinity, albeit with a trade-off in ductility and increased brittleness. quenching within the beta (β-) relaxation range promoted maximum ductility, while annealing in the alpha (α-) relaxation range improved thermophysical properties. these findings reveal that precise control of heat treatment conditions enables a tunable balance between mechanical flexibility and thermophysical performance in ldpe