Advances in radiation processing of polymeric materials

This paper reviews recent advances in industrial applications of electron beam irradiation of polymers at Takasaki Radiation Chemical Establishment (TRCRE) of JAERI, Japan, and the Whiteshell Laboratories of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL). At AECL, carbon and aramid fibre reinforced composites are being studied for aerospace and other applications; ambient temperature production of these composites by radiation processing of acrylated epoxy matrices can be used to produce composites with reduced residual stresses and reduced emission of volatile compounds; also production of such composites by radiation processing in much faster than by thermal processing. At AECL, it has been discovered that preirradiation of wood chips facilitates pulping. At TRCRE, two medium energy accelerators (2 and 3 MeV) have been used for research and development work on crosslinking and other irradiation effects on polymers, on grafting, as well as for pollution control studies. 20 refs., 1 fig., 5 tabs