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CROSSLINKING AND DEGRADATION IN $gamma$-IRRADIATED POLY-n-ALKYL ACRYLATES

Journal Article · · J. Polymer Sci., Pt. A

Polymers of methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, n-octyl, and n-cetyl acrylate were gamma -irradiated in vacuo, and the effects of irradiation temperature (-- 196 to 56 deg C) on energy yields for crosslinking and degradation estimated from gel fractions and swelling behavior of the gel. The extent of degradation was independent of polymer structure and reaction temperature, suggesting a molecular chain breaking process. Crosslinking, found to occur predominantly on the alkyl side chain, was independent of temperature above and below the polymer softening point, but was several fold higher for irradiations above the softening point; these data seemed to reflect the importance of segmental mobility of radiation produced polymer radicals in the crosslinking step. (auth)

Research Organization:
Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich.
NSA Number:
NSA-18-012201
OSTI ID:
4118080
Journal Information:
J. Polymer Sci., Pt. A, Journal Name: J. Polymer Sci., Pt. A Vol. Vol: 2
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English