Published 1982 | Version v1
Journal article

Radiation induced oxidative degradation of polymers

  • 1. Japan Atomic Energy Research Inst., Takasaki, Gunma. Takasaki Radiation Chemistry Research Establishment

Description

The degradation of polyethylene (PE) and ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPR) by γ-ray irradiation in oxygen under pressure was studied by gel fraction and swelling measurements. Irradiation in oxygen produced mainly chain scission, therefore the molecular weight decreased with dose. The G values of chain scission are 4 +- 0.5 for PE, and 1 approximately 2 for EPR. When the crosslinked PE and EPR are irradiated in oxygen, gel fraction decreases and swelling ratio increases with dose. A linear relation between the swelling ratio (Q) and the dose (R) is observed for EPR, that is, log[Q/Q0] = K.Qsup(3/2).R. With the addition of antioxidants, the relation still holds but the factor K is changed so the efficiency of antioxidants can be determined from the value of K

Additional details

Additional titles

Subtitle (English)
2. Effects of radiation on swelling and gel fraction of polymers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Radiat. Phys. Chem.
Journal Volume
19
Journal Issue
4
Series
Radiat. Phys. Chem.
Journal Page Range
321-327
ISSN
0146-5724