THE OXIDATION OF IRRADIATED POLYETHYLENE. I. RADIO-OXIDATION

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1959 · Intern. J. Appl. Radiation and Isotopes

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-708X(59)90158-9· OSTI ID:4174585

Black, R M; Charlesby, A

When polyethylene is subjected to high energy ionizing radiation-either electrons, gamma - or x-rays, protons, or %aa-particles-a number of chemical changes are produced which result in changes in the physical properties. These changes include the formation of crosslinks, main chain fracture, and unsaturation. if irradiation is carried out in the presence of oxygen, further changes take place due to the interaction between the oxygen and the free radicals formed during the irradiation process. This radiooxidation was studied by infrared and ultraviolet absorption measurements, by chemical analysis, and by the measurement of the dielectric loss angle. The oxidation process is discussed and some tentative mechanisms are proposed for the type of reaction involved. The effect of the addition of various types of conventional antioxidants to the system prior to irradiation was investigated. (auth)

• Research Organization: British Insulated Callender's Cables Ltd., London; Royal Military Coll. of Science, Shrivenham, Eng.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-14-009512
• OSTI ID: 4174585
• Journal Information: Intern. J. Appl. Radiation and Isotopes, Journal Name: Intern. J. Appl. Radiation and Isotopes Vol. Vol: 7
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
ALPHA PARTICLES
BEHAVIOR
CHEMISTRY
DIELECTRICS
ELECTRONS
FREE RADICALS
GAMMA RADIATION
INFRARED RADIATION
INTERACTIONS
IRRADIATION
MEASURED VALUES
OXIDATION
OXYGEN
POLYETHYLENES
PROTONS
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
REACTION KINETICS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
X RADIATION