Mutual influence of oxygen plasma and oxidative destruction of polyethylene film

The results of investigations on the load effect along with the action of low-temperature oxygen plasma on the surface of a polyethylene film are presented. With increasing the amount of processed polymer in the plasma, the specific rates of $\mathrm{O}_2$ consumption and $\mathrm{CO}_2$, $\mathrm{CO}$, $\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O}$, and $\mathrm{H}_2$ formation decrease, the gas temperature does not change, and the electric field strength increases. The effect of gaseous products on the physical characteristics of the plasma and the rate of processes involving electrons are studied, and the mechanism enabling the load effect is considered.