New material synthesis by radiation processing at high temperature--polymer modification with improved irradiation technology

Gamma-ray or electron beam irradiation at high temperature and at a small dose improved the Rockwell hardness and resistance to wear for polycarbonate and polysulfone. The effective temperature during irradiation was the glass transition temperature (Tg) of respective polymer, and the dose at maximum hardness was only 3-5 kGy. The effect for hardness was same between 60 Co-gamma ray and electron beam and the main chain scission was predominant for both the polymers. The improvement of hardness and wear resistance was supposed to be dense molecular packing in matrix by rearrangement of molecules with synergistic effect of radiation and temperature.