Atomic Radiation and Polymers

1. Introduction
Nuclear and Electronic Sources
Fundamental Reactions
Metals
Covalent and Ionic Structures
Molecular Structures
Fields of Application

2. Radiation Units
Energy per Particle
Radiation Yield - G Values
Intensity of Radioactive Sources - the Curie
Unit of Radiation Flux - the Roentgen and Rep
Energy Deposited - the Rad

3. Interaction of Radiation with Matter
Electrons
X-Rays and γ-Rays
Protons and α-Particles
Fast Neutrons
Slow Neutrons
Ultraviolet Light
Distribution of Ionization

4. Nuclear Sources of Radiation
Nuclear Reactors
Cooling Circuits
Short-Lived Gaseous Fission Products
Fuel Rods
Radioactive Waste
Separated Fission Products
Radioactive Cobalt and Tantalum

5. Electrical Sources of Radiation
Voltage Multiplier Circuits
Electrostatic Generators
Resonant Transformer
Linear Electron Accelerators
Very High Voltage Particle Accelerators
X-Ray Equipment

6. Dosimetry
Absolute Measurements
Ferrous Sulphate as a Secondary Standard
Other Chemical Dosimeters
Colorimetric Methods
Changes in Plastics
Photographic Methods
Dosimetry in Reactors

7. Long Chain Polymers
Polymerization
Structural Variations in Homopolymers
Crystallinity
Structural Variation in Copolymers

8. Molecular Weight Distribution
Definition of Molecular Weight Distribution

9. Properties of a Crosslinked Network
Increase in Average Molecular Weight due to Crosslinking
Changes below the Gel Point (8 < 1)
Dose for Incipient Gelation
Soluble Fraction
Effect of Crosslinking on Elastic Properties
Tensile Strength
Swelling of Crosslinked Polymers

10. Theory of Polymer Degradation
Reduction in Number Average Molecular Weight
Initially Random Distribution
General Relation
Changes in Intrinsic Viscosity

11. Alternative Methods of Network
Formation
Condensation Reactions
Simultaneous Crosslinking and Degradation
Endlinking
Network Formation as a Chain Reaction

12. Radiation-Induced Changes In Organic
Molecules
Paraffins

13. Polyethylene
Effect of Crosslinking
Crystallinity Changes
Chemical Changes
Mechanical and Electrical Properties

14. Rubber
Early Work
Crosslinking of Unvulcanized Rubber
Irradiation of Cured Rubbers
Physical Properties of Radiation-cured Rubber
Synthetic Rubbers

15. Polystyrene

16. Silicones

17. Other Crosslinking Polymers
Polyvinyl Chloride
Polyacrylates
Polyacrylonitrile
Nylon
Polyethylene Terephthalate
Polypropylene

18. Polyisobutylene
Effects of Radiation

19. Polymethyl Methacrylate

20. Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE)
Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene

21. Cellulose
Dextran
Mechanical Properties

22. Polymerization
Radiation as an Initiator of Polymerization
Factors affecting Polymerization Rate
Kinetics of Radiation Polymerization
Polymerization in a Solvent
Polymerization in the Solid State
Emulsion Polymerization
Polymer Yield
Ionic Polymerization

23. Graft and Block Copolymers
Grafting from Monomer and from Solution
Effect of Radiation Intensity
Grafting and Crystallinity
Comparison of Polymerization and Grafting

24. Curing of Unsaturated Polyester Resins
Network Formation by a Chain Reaction
Comparison of Radiation and Thermal Cure
Transition Temperature
Kinetics of Network Formation in Polyesters
Reactions of Unsaturated Polyesters
Advantages of Radiation Cure

25. Irradiation of Polymers in Solution
Degradation in Dilute Aqueous Solutions
Effect of Polymer Concentration in Aqueous Solvents
Degradation in Organic Solvents
Mechanism of Polymer Reactions in Aqueous Solution

26. Reactions of Irradiated Molecules
Behaviour of the Excited Molecule
Behaviour of the Ionized Molecule
Fate of the Free Electron
Energy Transfer
Reaction of Ions and Molecules

27. Radical and Ion Yield
Measurement of Radical Yield
Effect of Concentration and Intensity
Experimental G Values for Radical Production
Comparison with Photochemistry
Distribution of Radicals
Measurement of Ionic Yield

28. Mechanism of Crosslinking and Degradation
Theories of Reaction Mechanisms in Polymers
Discussion

29. Radiation Protection
Internal Radiation Protection
External Protection
Radiation Protection against Degradation
Protection against Crosslinking
Protection in Solutions
Protection in Curing of Unsaturated Polyesters
Mechanisms of Radiation Protection

30. Changes in Electrical Conductivity

31. Use of Polymers in Nuclear Reactors