Nanomodification of Polyethylene via Focused Electron Beam Irradiation: Controlled Crazing and Application to Crack Arresting

Abstract This study investigates the use of focused electron beam (FEB) irradiation to modify the nanoscale properties of polyethylene (PE), focusing on controlled crazing and its application to crack arresting. FEB irradiation induces localized structural changes—including cross‐linking and stress redistribution—which enable precise control over craze formation and the arrest of crack propagation. The PE specimens are FEB irradiated under various conditions. Scanning electron microscopy reveals micro/nanoscale modifications, with the crazing patterns being precisely controlled at defined scales. Once controlled crazing is successfully achieved, crack‐arresting applications are investigated, confirming the direct impact of nanomodification via irradiation. To explore crack‐arresting applications at the micro‐ to nanoscale, PE specimens with pre‐existing cracks are irradiated by FEB, and their behavior will be observed after the application of a nominal tensile strain. The results demonstrate that the FEB irradiation effectively arrests crack growth. Additionally, the effects of irradiation on the fatigue resistance of PE investigated. This study highlights the potential of nanomodification using FEB as a nanofabrication technique and offers new pathways for the development of high‐performance materials. These findings contribute to the advance of nanotechnology by integrating controlled crazing and crack‐arresting applications with enhanced mechanical performance, paving the way for future advanced applications.