EFFECTS OF NEUTRON AND GAMMA-RAY IRRADIATION ON THE DIELECTRIC CONSTANT AND LOSS TANGENT OF SOME PLASTIC MATERIALS

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1959 · Power App. and Systems

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/AIEEPAS.1959.4500269· OSTI ID:4212801

Weeks, R A; Binder, D

It is necessary to consider each material of interest as a dielectric individually when the additional environmental factor of strong radiation fields is present. In some applications, the deterioration of the mechanical properties will be a limiting factor, as in Teflon. for example. In others the limiting factor will be the alteration of the electrical properties. In terms of two of the most widely used dielectrics, polyethylene and polystyrene, the latter is superior both electrically and mechanically when the total integrated dose does not exceed 10/sup 20/ fast neutrons/cm/sup 2/. The polyethylene will serve very well in many applications. They represent the long lifetime effects of the radiation on the electrical properties considered. They say nothing about the transient effects arising from thc short-lifetime iontifzation processes. These are exhibited in one form by the large increase in the d-c conductivity while in the radiation field, but which recover when the radiation is removed. The effects on the a-c electromagnetic properties under similar radiation conditions have not yet been studied in any detail. Since the ionization products arc electrons and free radicals, it might be expected the electromagnetic effects of these entities to show up in the absorption of energy in the microwave or visible light region of the spectrum. (auth)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-13-022483
• OSTI ID: 4212801
• Journal Information: Power App. and Systems, Journal Name: Power App. and Systems
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
DIELECTRICS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC PROPERTIES
ELECTRICITY
ELECTROMAGNETISM
ELECTRONS
ENERGY
FAST NEUTRONS
FREE RADICALS
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZATION
LIGHT
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALLURGY AND CERAMICS
MICROWAVES
NEUTRON BEAMS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYSTYRENE
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
TEFLON