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Effects of gamma radiation on two aromatic polysulfones
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1975
Year
EngineeringResponsive PolymersOrganic ChemistryChemistryPolymersChemical EngineeringAromatic PolysulfonesPolymer TechnologyPolymer MaterialPolymer ProcessingPolycyclic Aromatic HydrocarbonPolymer ChemistryTensile StrengthMaterials SciencePhotochemistryPolyethylene MaterialsPolymer StabilityPolymer AnalysisGamma RadiationPolymer ScienceConjugated PolymerIrradiation TemperaturesPolymer CharacterizationPolymerization Kinetics
Two aromatic polysulfones, poly(oxy-1,4-phenylenesulfonyl-1,4-phenyleneoxy-1,4-phenyleneisopropylidene-1,4-phenylene) (I) and poly (oxy-1,4-phenylenesulfonyl-1,4-phenylene) (II), undergo crosslinking and chain scission at 30°C during γ-irradiation, the former being predominant in vacuum and the latter in air. Both processes occurred more readily in I, which contains isopropylidene linkages. Gel measurements gave G(crosslink) = 0.051, G(scission) = 0.012 for this polymer at 30°C in vacuum. Increased irradiation temperatures resulted in higher crosslinking and gas yields, especially above the glass transition temperature. The tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of I were unaffected by γ-irradiation up to about 50 Mrad in air, but the strength decreased markedly at higher doses. The elongation at break decreased progressively with dose. For both polymers, G(gas) = 0.04 at 30°C with the main products being SO2, H2, CO2, CH4, and H2O.