Which mechanism reduces the tensile strength of polyethylene filaments under prolonged exposure to UV radiation?

💡 Explanation

When polyethylene is exposed to UV radiation, chain scission occurs because UV light provides energy to break covalent bonds creating free radicals which then initiate further degradation, leading to reduced chain length and tensile strength. Therefore, chain scission occurs rather than increased crystallinity, plasticizer leaching, which require different conditions and mechanisms.

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