A protective study of 2-vinyl naphthalene in silicone grease and oil against gamma radiation

Polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS), grease and oil, were modified with the addition of 2-vinyl naphthalene (2-VN) and their radiation protection effect was evaluated. The samples were irradiated with doses from 10 to 60 kGy at room temperature in air, with a 60Co gamma source, and the changes in molecular weight and infrared spectroscopy was determined. The molecular weight of PDMS increases with the absorbed dose because of crosslinking as predominant effect. Gel formation in oil samples with the addition of 2-VN occurred at higher doses than virgin samples; the aromatic compound reduced remarkably the crosslinking effect and increased the protection coefficient. (author)