Durability of radiation-sterilized polymer X. Effect of molecular weight on stability during storage after irradiation of polypropylene

The stability of polypropylene (PP) during storage after irradiation largely depended on the initial molecular weight. Degradation of high molecular weight PP during storage was relatively less. Oxidation due to irradiation determined by the chemiluminescence method was smaller in high molecular weight PP with lower crystallinity than in low molecular weight PP. It was concluded that high molecular weight PP is a more suitable material for medical supplies that are sterilized by γ ray or electron beam irradiations. (author)