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U.S. Department of Energy
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A STUDY OF THE MECHANISM OF RADIATION-INDUCED GELATION IN MONOMER-POLYMER MIXTURES. May 1, 1961-October 31, 1962

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4738834

It was found that the use of polyfunctional monomers can have a profound effect on the course of the radiation reactions of polymers. The radiation requirements for the crosslinking of polyethylene were reduced by using polyfunctional monomers. Polypropylene is inefficientiy crosslinked by radiation. However, the use of polyfunctional monomers greatly increased the efficiency of the radiationcrosslinking of polypropylene. Polyisobutylene, unlike polyethylene or polypropylene, not only does not crosslink under irradiation, but is in fact degraded. The use of polyfunctional monomers reverses the normal radiation reaction, resulting in facile crosslinking. Similar results were obtained for cellulose acetate. The properties of the various monomer-crosslinked materials showed substartial improvements. In particular, the heat stability of polyethylene and polypropylene was significantly improved. (auth)

Research Organization:
Radiation Applications Inc., Long Island City, N.Y.
NSA Number:
NSA-17-008135
OSTI ID:
4738834
Report Number(s):
RAI-311
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English