A study of the molecular structure in CR-39

A technique is presented for examining the molecular structure of CR-39 by analysis of the etch products from hydrolysis of the polymer network. The CR-39 network consists of polyallyl chains jointed by diethyleneglycol dicarbonate links. The etching cuts the carbonate links and liberates the polyallyl chains which makes them amenable to common analytical methods. Gel Permeation Chromatography was used to characterize the chain lengths and their distribution. It was found that the average length is rather short and that it decreases with increasing concentration of the initiator. This technique has been also used to identify the radiation sensitive link in the CR-39 network. It was found that the length of polyallyl chain is not changed in 60Co γ-irradiated plastic while the etch rate significantly increases. This shows that the polyallyl chains are relatively inert and not responsible for the radiation sensitivity of CR-39 and that it is the diethyleneglycol dicarbonate links which are damaged by radiation. (author)