Irradiation effect on the polytetrafluoroethylene-propylene copolymer solution

The solution of tetrafluoroethylene-propylene (TFEP) copolymer in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was irradiated by 60Co γ-rays in vacuum at room temperature, with total absorbed dose up to 500 kGy at constant absorbed dose rate of 10 kGy/h. The influence of polymer concentration on the radiation stability of TFEP copolymer in solution was investigated using three different solution concentrations: 1, 5 and 10%. The irradiation effect on these solutions was followed by the measurement of the gel fraction, molecular weight measurements (GPC), FTIR spectroscopy and gas chromatography. A plausible mechanism for radiation degradation and crosslinking in polymer solution was proposed. (author)