Radiation effects on a lubricating base oil and their application in radiation dosimetry β

The effect of nuclear reactor radiations in the range of 6 to 140 megarad and 60Co gamma radiation doses up to 40 megarad on an Iraqi lubricating oil were studied. These effects had been compared at equal doses of gamma rays and neutrons. The results revealed that all changes induced by gamma rays can be induced by neutrons, whereas the changes induced by neutrons cannot all be induced by gamma radiations. The changes were followed through nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, Ramsbottom carbon residue, molecular weight and induced colouration. Empirical formulae for these changes with dose were derived which can be applied for the measurement of neutrons and gamma doses in mixed field. (author)