SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1957
STP44169S

A Summary of the Effect of Radiation on Some Plastics and Elastomers

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As a result of the absorption of high-energy radiation, organic solids undergo rather complicated chemical reactions which are not yet fully understood in even the most simple polymers. Two general classes of reactions have been recognized, however, which can explain most of the changes that are observed in the physical properties of plastics and elastomers. The reactions are called cleavage or scission and crosslinking. The crosslinking reaction results in the binding together of the molecules of a polymer into a network structure such as is found in a gel. The cleavage reaction, as the name implies, breaks down the long polymer chains into smaller fragments.

Author Information

Sisman, O.
Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Bopp, C., D.
Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.
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Details
Developed by Committee: E10
Pages: 119–129
DOI: 10.1520/STP44169S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5944-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-6098-9